Stabilizer composition

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a stabilizer composition containing at least one sterically hindered amine(HALS) in which the amino group carries a basicity-reducing substituent, at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioether groups and at least one liquid plasticizer containing carboxylate groups. The invention further relates to a polymer composition containing at least one sterically hindered amine (HALS) in which the amino group carries a basicity-reducing substituent, at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioether groups, at least one liquid plasticizer containing carboxylate groups and at least one silyl-terminated polymer, to the use of the stabilizer composition for stabilizing a silyl-terminated polymer or a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifmg filler or coating composition, especially a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating composition containing a silyl-terminated polymer, against degradation by heat, light and/or oxygen, to the use of the polymer composition as or in a sealant, adhesive, liquid gasket, knifing filler or coating composition, and to a sealant composition or an adhesive composition, or a gasket composition, or a knifing filler composition or a coating composition comprising the polymer composition.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a stabilizer composition containing atleast one sterically hindered amine (HALS) in which the amino groupcarries a basicity-reducing substituent, at least one antioxidantcontaining one or more thioether groups and at least one liquidplasticizer containing carboxylate groups. The invention further relatesto a polymer composition containing at least one sterically hinderedamine (HALS) in which the amino group carries a basicity-reducingsubstituent, at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioethergroups, at least one liquid plasticizer containing carboxylate groupsand at least one silyl-terminated polymer, to the use of the stabilizercomposition for stabilizing a silyl-terminated polymer or a sealant,adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating composition, especially asealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating compositioncontaining a silyl-terminated polymer, against degradation by heat,light and/or oxygen, to the use of the polymer composition as or in asealant, adhesive, liquid gasket, knifing filler or coating composition,and to a sealant composition or an adhesive composition, or a gasketcomposition, or a knifing filler composition or a coating compositioncomprising the polymer composition.

Moisture-crosslinkable polymer compositions based on silyl-terminatedpolymers (STPs) and their use in sealants, adhesives and coatingcompositions are known. In the presence of atmospheric moisture, STPswith hydrolyzable substituents, such as alkoxy groups, are capable ofcondensing with one another yet at room temperature; resulting thus incured or crosslinked polymers. Depending on the content of silyl groupswith hydrolysable substituents and the structure of these silyl groups,mainly long-chain polymers (thermoplastics), relatively wide-mesh,three-dimensional networks (elastomers) or highly crosslinked systems(thermosets) are formed during this process.

In the present invention, the terms “curing” and “crosslinking” are usedinterchangeably, referring to the toughening or hardening of a polymermaterial by cross-linking of polymer chains.

Sealing, adhesive and coating materials are used in a wide variety ofapplications and materials. If transparent materials, like glass, arepart of the application, light, especially UV radiation, reaches thesealing, adhesive or coating material, which makes it prone todeterioration if it is not stabilized appropriately. Non-transparentapplications or applications not exposed to light may also be prone todeterioration, for example if exposed to heat, like in flooring close toheat sources, or to deterioration caused by atmospheric oxygen.

Demands relating to the long-term temperature resistance of sealants,adhesives and coating compositions are becoming ever higher. The sameholds true for UV resistance and resistance against oxidation. Thus,there is a continuing need for temperature- and/or UV- and/oroxidation-resistant compositions which are suitable for use as asealant, adhesive and/or coating composition and which additionally havebeneficial and indispensable properties that are required in the area ofthis type of application.

US 2013/197141 relates to moisture-curable adhesive, sealant and/orcoating compositions based on silane-terminated polymers and containinga phenolic compound without thioether groups and a phenolic compoundwith thioether groups. The phenolic compounds are to improve thetemperature stability of the composition.

Phenolic compounds containing thioether groups are very efficientantioxidants. Unfortunately, however, they are often not compatible withsterically hindered amines, especially with such HALS in which the aminogroup interacts with sulfonic acids which are formed by the oxidation ofthioether and the like and thus deactivates the antioxidant effect. Onthe other side, it is very desirable to combine the efficientantioxidant properties of phenolic compounds containing thioether groupsand the similarly efficient light-stabilizing properties of stericallyhindered amines.

Another problem in context with phenolic antioxidants, especially withphenolic antioxidants containing thioether groups like Irganox® 1520 orIrganox® 1726, is a miscibility gap within cured or crosslinked apolarpolymers, like STPs. After some time, such cured polymers and more polaror liquid components of the polymer composition, like said phenolicantioxidants, separate, which leads to the formation of an exudate or awhite “blooming” or other esthetically and technically inacceptablemanifestations.

WO 2016/184932 relates to a stabilized hot melt adhesive containing ahot melt adhesive material and two or three of the following components:(A) a specific monomeric sterically hindered amine; (B) a specificpolymeric sterically hindered amine; (C) a specific sterically hinderedphenol.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,219 relates to an electrodepositable primercomposition comprising an aqueous dispersion of an ionic epoxy-basedresin, a hindered amine light stabilizer and an antioxidant mixturecomprising a phenolic antioxidant and a sulfur-containing antioxidant.The composition used in the examples moreover contains Paraplex WP-1, aplasticizer from Rohm and Haas. According to US 5,272,189, Paraplex WP-1is a propoxylated cresol.

US 2009/0118401 and US 2012/0316253 relate to a curable compositioncontaining an organic polymer with a crosslinkable silyl group, atriazine-based UV absorber and a HALS. The composition of example 9contains an acrylic polymer with terminal crosslinkable silyl groups,Tinuvin® 123 as HALS, 1577FF from Ciba Specialty Chemicals astriazine-based UV absorber, moreover AO-20 from Ashahi Denka Co., Ltd.as antioxidant and UP1000, which is an acrylic polymer from ToagoseiCo., Ltd., as plasticizer. AO-20 is a phenolic antioxidant and does notcontain any thioether groups.

US 2011/0028611 relates to a synthetic resin composition containing aHALS with an alkoxy group on the nitrogen atom and a sulfur-containingantioxidant.

The object of the present invention was to provide a stabilizercomposition suitable to stabilize curable compositions to be used as orin sealants, adhesives and/or coating compositions, especially as or insealant compositions, especially with respect to a good long-termtemperature and/or UV and/or oxidation stability after curing. Moreover,the exudation of components of the stabilizer composition from curedpolymers, especially from cured STPs, was to be avoided. In addition,the stabilized curable composition should also meet all otherconventional requirements of a modern sealant, adhesive and/or coatingcomposition.

Surprisingly it was found that the above-described disadvantages ofcombining antioxidants containing one or more thioether groups with HALScan be avoided if the amino group of the HALS carries abasicity-reducing substituent. It was moreover found that specificplasticizers can prevent or at least reduce exudation of stabilizercomponents from cured polymers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the invention thus relates to a stabilizer compositioncomprising:

-   -   (a) at least one light stabilizer selected from sterically        hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries a        basicity-reducing substituent (i.e. a substituent which reduces        the electron density on the nitrogen atom of the amino group;        such as alkoxy, alkenyloxy, alkynyloxy, cycloalkoxy, phenyloxy        or benzyloxy groups, or carbonyl or thiocarbonyl groups either        bound directly or flexibly in y- or δ-position to the nitrogen        ring atom so that an intramolecular 5- or 6-membered ring can be        formed by interaction of N with the C(═O) or C(═S) group);    -   (b) at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioether        groups; and    -   (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. (i.e. has        a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. and 1013 mbar, as        measured with a CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield), cone 4,        according to DIN EN ISO 3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100        s⁻¹) and which is selected from plasticizers containing        carboxylate groups (i.e. carboxylic acid ester groups).

In another aspect, the invention relates to a polymer compositioncomprising

(i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer; and

(ii) a stabilizer composition as defined above.

In other words, the polymer composition comprises

-   -   (i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer;    -   (ii) at least one light stabilizer selected from sterically        hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries a        basicity-reducing substituent; at least one antioxidant        containing one or more thioether groups; and at least one        plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and which is selected from        plasticizers containing carboxylate groups.

The invention further relates to the use of the stabilizer compositionof the invention for stabilizing a silyl-terminated polymer or asealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating composition,especially a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coatingcomposition containing a silyl-terminated polymer, against degradationby heat, light and/or oxygen, to the use of the polymer composition ofthe invention as or in a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler orcoating composition, to a sealant composition or an adhesivecomposition, or a gasket composition, or a knifing filler composition ora coating composition comprising the polymer composition of theinvention and to a method for stabilizing a silyl-terminated polymer ora sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating composition,especially a sealant, adhesive, liquid gasket, knifing filler or coatingcomposition containing a silyl-terminated polymer, against degradationby heat, light and/or oxygen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The organic moieties mentioned in the below definitions of the variablesare collective terms for individual listings of the individual groupmembers. The prefix Cn-Cm indicates in each case the possible number ofcarbon atoms in the group.

The term “alkyl” as used herein and in the alkyl moieties of alkoxy,hydroxyalkyl and the like refers to saturated straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 1 to 2(“C₁-C₂-alkyl”), 1 to3(“C₁-C₃-alkyl”), 1 to 4(“C₁-C₄-alkyl”), 1 to 6(“C₁-C₅-alkyl”), 1 to 8(“C₁-C₈-alkyl”), 1 to 12 (“C₁-C₁₂-alkyl”), 4 to 12 (“C₄-C₁₂-alkyl”), 12or 13 (“C₁₂-C₁₃-alkyl”), 1 to 16 (“C₁-C₁₆-alkyl”) 6 to 16(“C₆-C₁₆-alkyl”) or 4 to 20 (“C₄-C₂₀-alkyl”) carbon atoms. C₁-C₂-Alkylis methyl or ethyl. Examples for C₁-C₃-alkyl are, in addition to thosementioned for C₁-C₂-alkyl, n-propyl and isopropyl. Examples forC₁-C₄-alkyl are, in addition to those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkyl,n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl (sec-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl) or1,1-dimethylethyl (tert-butyl). Examples for C₁-C₆-alkyl are, inaddition to those mentioned for C₁-C₄-alkyl, n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl,2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl,1,1-dimethylpropyl, 1,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl,2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl,1,2-dimethylbutyl, 1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl,2,3-dimethylbutyl, 3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl,1,1,2-trimethylpropyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, or1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl. Examples for C₁-C₈-alkyl are, in addition tothose mentioned for C₁-C₈-alkyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl andpositional isomers thereof. Examples for C₁-C₁₀-alkyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₈-alkyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl and positionalisomers thereof. Examples for C₁-C₁₂-alkyl are, in addition to thosementioned for C₁-C₁₀-alkyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, and positional isomersthereof. C₄-C₁₂-Alkyl is for example n-butyl, 1-methylpropyl(sec-butyl), 2-methylpropyl (isobutyl), 1,1-dimethylethyl (tert-butyl),n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl,2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl,1,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl,3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl,1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl,3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl,1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl,n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl,and positional isomers thereof. Examples for C₁-C₁₆-alkyl are, inaddition to those mentioned for C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl,n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl and positional isomers thereof. Examples forCs-C₁₆-alkyl are n-pentyl, 1-methylbutyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl,2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1-ethylpropyl, 1,1-dimethylpropyl,1,2-dimethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 1-methylpentyl, 2-methylpentyl,3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1,1-dimethylbutyl, 1,2-dimethylbutyl,1,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl,3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1,1,2-trimethylpropyl,1,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropyl, 1-ethyl-2-methylpropyl,n-heptyl, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl,n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl and positionalisomers thereof. Examples for C₄-C₂₀-alkyl are, in addition to thosementioned for C₄-C₁₂-alkyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl,n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl, n-eicosyl andpositional isomers thereof. Examples for C₁-C₂₀-alkyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl,n-nonadecyl, n-eicosyl and positional isomers thereof. Examples forC₁₂-C₁₃-alkyl are n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl and positional isomers thereof.

The term “hydroxyalkyl” denotes an alkyl group, as mentioned above, inwhich one hydrogen atom is replaced by a hydroxyl group.C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl is a C₂-C₄-alkyl group in which one hydrogen atom isreplaced by a hydroxyl group. Examples are 1-hydroxyethyl,2-hydroxyethyl, 1-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl,1-hydroxy-1-methylethyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl, 1-hydroxybutyl,2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl,1-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl,3-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 1-(hydroxymethyl)-propyl,1-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl,3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-propyl, and1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-ethyl. Among these, preference is given toradicals in which the hydroxyl group is not bound to the attachmentpoint of hydroxyalkyl to the remainder of the molecule, especially ifthe hydroxyalkyl group is bound to an oxygen or a nitrogen atom. Thus,preferred examples of C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl are 2-hydroxyethyl,2-hydroxypropyl, 3-hydroxypropyl, 2-hydroxy-1-methylethyl,2-hydroxybutyl, 3-hydroxybutyl, 4-hydroxybutyl,2-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl, 3-hydroxy-1-methylpropyl,1-(hydroxymethyl)-propyl, 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl,3-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-propyl, and1-(hydroxymethyl)-2-methyl-ethyl.

If the term “alkenyl” as used herein and in the alkyl moieties ofalkenyloxy is used without prefix (C_(n)-C_(m)), it indicatesmonounsaturated (i.e. containing one C—C double bond) straight-chain orbranched aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having in general 2 to 20(“C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl”) carbon atoms, in particular 2 to 10(“C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl”) carbon atoms, specifically 2 to 6 (“C₂-C₆-alkenyl”)or 2 to 4 (“C₂-C₄-alkenyl”) carbon atoms, where the C—C double bond canbe in any position. “C₂-C₃-alkenyl” refers to monounsaturatedstraight-chain or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 3carbon atoms and a C—C double bond in any position. “C₂-C₄-alkenyl”refers to monounsaturated straight-chain or branched aliphatichydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and a C—C double bond inany position. “C₂-C₆-alkenyl” refers to monounsaturated straight-chainor branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 6 carbon atomsand a C—C double bond in any position. “C₂-C₈-alkenyl” refers tomonounsaturated straight-chain or branched aliphatic hydrocarbonradicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and a C—C double bond in anyposition. “C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl” refers to monounsaturated straight-chain orbranched aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 10 carbon atoms anda C—C double bond in any position. “C₂-C₂₀-alkenyl” refers tomonounsaturated straight-chain or branched aliphatic hydrocarbonradicals having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a C—C double bond in anyposition. Examples for C₂-C₃-alkenyl are ethenyl, 1-propenyl, 2-propenylor 1-methylethenyl. Examples for C₂-C₄-alkenyl are ethenyl, 1-propenyl,2-propenyl, 1-methylethenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,1-methyl-1-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl or2-methyl-2-propenyl. Examples for C₂-C₆-alkenyl are ethenyl, 1-propenyl,2-propenyl, 1-methylethenyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, 3-butenyl,1-methyl-1-propenyl, 2-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-methyl-2-propenyl,2-methyl-2-propenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-pentenyl, 4-pentenyl,1-methyl-1-butenyl, 2-methyl-1-butenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl,1-methyl-2-butenyl, 2-methyl-2-butenyl, 3-methyl-2-butenyl,1-methyl-3-butenyl, 2-methyl-3-butenyl, 3-methyl-3-butenyl,1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-1-propenyl,1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-propenyl,1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 4-hexenyl, 5-hexenyl,1-methyl-1-pentenyl, 2-methyl-1-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-pentenyl,4-methyl-1-pentenyl, 1-methyl-2-pentenyl, 2-methyl-2-pentenyl,3-methyl-2-pentenyl, 4-methyl-2-pentenyl, 1-methyl-3-pentenyl,2-methyl-3-pentenyl, 3-methyl-3-pentenyl, 4-methyl-3-pentenyl,1-methyl-4-pentenyl, 2-methyl-4-pentenyl, 3-methyl-4-pentenyl,4-methyl-4-pentenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butenyl,1,2-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl,1,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl,2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl,2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-1-butenyl, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl,1-ethyl-1-butenyl, 1-ethyl-2-butenyl, 1-ethyl-3-butenyl,2-ethyl-1-butenyl, 2-ethyl-2-butenyl, 2-ethyl-3-butenyl,1,1,2-trimethyl-2-propenyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propenyl,1-ethyl-2-methyl-1-propenyl, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyl and the like.Examples for C₂-C₁₀-alkenyl are, in addition to the examples mentionedfor C₂-C₆-alkenyl, 1-heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 1-octenyl,2-octenyl, 3-octenyl, 4-octenyl, 1-nonenyl, 2-nonenyl, 3-nonenyl,4-nonenyl, 1-decenyl, 2-decenyl, 3-decenyl, 4-decenyl, 5-decenyl and thepositional isomers thereof.

If the term “alkynyl” as used herein and in the alkynyl moieties ofalkynyloxy is used without prefix (C,-,-C_(m)), it indicatesstraight-chain or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having ingeneral 2 to 20 (“C₂-C₂₀-alkynyl”) carbon atoms, in particular 2 to 10(“C₂-C₁₀-alkynyl”) carbon atoms, specifically 2 to 6 (“C₂-C₆-alkynyl”)or 2 to 4 (“C₂-C₄-alkynyl”) carbon atoms, and one triple bond in anyposition. “C₂-C₃-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 3 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. “C₂-C₄-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. “C₂-C₆-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. “C₂-C₈-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 8 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. “C₂-C₁₀-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 10 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. “C₂-C₂₀-Alkynyl” indicates straight-chain or branchedhydrocarbon radicals having 2 to 20 carbon atoms and one triple bond inany position. Examples for C₂-C₃-alkynyl are ethynyl, 1-propynyl or2-propynyl. Examples for C₂-C₄-alkynyl are ethynyl, 1-propynyl,2-propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl and thelike. Examples for C₂-C₆-alkynyl are ethynyl, 1-propynyl, 2-propynyl,1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 3-butynyl, 1-methyl-2-propynyl, 1-pentynyl,2-pentynyl, 3-pentynyl, 4-pentynyl, 1-methyl-2-butynyl,1-methyl-3-butynyl, 2-methyl-3-butynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl,1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyl, 1-ethyl-2-propynyl, 1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl,3-hexynyl, 4-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1-methyl-2-pentynyl,1-methyl-3-pentynyl, 1-methyl-4-pentynyl, 2-methyl-3-pentynyl,2-methyl-4-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1-pentynyl, 3-methyl-4-pentynyl,4-methyl-1-pentynyl, 4-methyl-2-pentynyl, 1,1-dimethyl-2-butynyl,1,1-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butynyl,3,3-dimethyl-1-butynyl, 1-ethyl-2-butynyl, 1-ethyl-3-butynyl,2-ethyl-3-butynyl, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propynyl and the like.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to monocyclic saturatedhydrocarbon radicals having 3 to 6 carbon atoms (“C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl”).Examples of C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyland cyclohexyl.

The term “alkoxy” refers to alkyl group, as defined above, attached viaan oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. If the term “alkoxy” isused without prefix (C_(n)-C_(m)), it relates to C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy.“C₁-C₂-Alkoxy” is a C₁-C₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attached via anoxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. “C₁-C₃-Alkoxy” is aC₁-C₃-alkyl group, as defined above, attached via an oxygen atom to theremainder of the molecule. “C₁-C₄-Alkoxy” is a C₁-C₄-alkyl group, asdefined above, attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of themolecule. “C₁-C₆-Alkoxy” is a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined above,attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₁₂-Alkoxy” is a C₁-C₁₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attached viaan oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. “C₁-C₂₀-Alkoxy” is aC₁-C₂₀-alkyl group attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of themolecule. “C₁₂-C₁₄-Alkoxy” is a C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl group, as defined above,attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule.C₁-C₂-Alkoxy is methoxy or ethoxy. Examples for C₁-C₃-alkoxy are, inaddition to those mentioned for C₁-C₂-alkoxy, n-propoxy and1-methylethoxy (isopropoxy). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkoxy are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkoxy, butoxy, 1-methylpropoxy(sec-butoxy), 2-methylpropoxy (isobutoxy) or 1,1-dimethylethoxy(tert-butoxy). Examples for C₁-C₆-alkoxy are, in addition to thosementioned for C₁-C₄-alkoxy, pentoxy, 1-methylbutoxy, 2-methylbutoxy,3-methylbutoxy, 1,1-dimethylpropoxy, 1,2-dimethylpropoxy,2,2-dimethylpropoxy, 1-ethylpropoxy, hexoxy, 1-methylpentoxy,2-methylpentoxy, 3-methylpentoxy, 4-methylpentoxy, 1,1-dimethylbutoxy,1,2-dimethylbutoxy, 1,3-dimethylbutoxy, 2,2-dimethylbutoxy,2,3-dimethylbutoxy, 3,3-dimethylbutoxy, 1-ethylbutoxy, 2-ethylbutoxy,1,1,2-trimethylpropoxy, 1,2,2-trimethylpropoxy, 1-ethyl-1-methylpropoxyor 1-ethyl-2-methylpropoxy. Examples for C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₆-alkoxy, heptyloxy, octyloxy,2-ethylhexyloxy, nonyloxy, decyloxy, undecyloxy, dodecyloxy, andpositional isomers thereof. Examples for C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, tridecyloxy, tetradecyloxy,pentadecyloxy, hexadecyloxy, heptadecyloxy, octadecyloxy, nonadecyloxy,eicosanyloxy, and positional isomers thereof. Examples forC₁₂-C₁₄-alkoxy are dodecyloxy, tridecyloxy, tetradecyloxy, andpositional isomers thereof.

The term “alkenyloxy” refers to an alkenyl group, as defined above,attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. If theterm “alkenyloxy” is used without prefix (C_(n)-C_(m)), it relates toC₂-C₂₀-alkenyloxy. Examples for C₂-C₃-alkenyloxy are ethenyloxy,1-propenyloxy, 2-propenyloxy or 1-methylethenyloxy. Examples forC₂-C₄-alkenyloxy are ethenyloxy, 1-propenyloxy, 2-propenyloxy,1-methylethenyloxy, 1-butenyloxy, 2-butenyloxy, 3-butenyloxy,1-methyl-1-propenyloxy, 2-methyl-1-propenyloxy, 1-methyl-2-propenyloxyor 2-methyl-2-propenyloxy. Examples for C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy are, inaddition to those mentioned for C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, 1-pentenyloxy,2-pentenyloxy, 3-pentenyloxy, 4-pentenyloxy, 1-methyl-1-butenyloxy,2-methyl-1-butenyloxy, 3-methyl-1-butenyloxy, 1-methyl-2-butenyloxy,2-methyl-2-butenyloxy, 3-methyl-2-butenyloxy, 1-methyl-3-butenyloxy,2-methyl-3-butenyloxy, 3-methyl-3-butenyloxy,1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1,2-dimethyl-1-propenyloxy,1,2-dimethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1-ethyl-1-propenyloxy,1-ethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1-hexenyloxy, 2-hexenyloxy, 3-hexenyloxy,4-hexenyloxy, 5-hexenyloxy, 1-methyl-1-pentenyloxy,2-methyl-1-pentenyloxy, 3-methyl-1-pentenyloxy, 4-methyl-1-pentenyloxy,1-methyl-2-pentenyloxy, 2-methyl-2-pentenyloxy, 3-methyl-2-pentenyloxy,4-methyl-2-pentenyloxy, 1-methyl-3-pentenyloxy, 2-methyl-3-pentenyloxy,3-methyl-3-pentenyloxy, 4-methyl-3-pentenyloxy, 1-methyl-4-pentenyloxy,2-methyl-4-pentenyloxy, 3-methyl-4-pentenyloxy, 4-methyl-4-pentenyloxy,1,1-dimethyl-2-butenyloxy, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butenyloxy, 1,2-dimethyl-1-butenyloxy, 1 ,2-dimethyl-2-butenyloxy, 1,2-dimethyl-3-butenyloxy, 1 ,3-dimethyl-1 -butenyloxy, 1,3-dimethyl-2-butenyloxy, 1 ,3-dimethyl-3-butenyloxy,2,2-dimethyl-3-butenyloxy, 2,3-dimethyl-1-butenyloxy,2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyloxy, 2,3-dimethyl-3-butenyloxy,3,3-dimethyl-1-butenyloxy, 3,3-dimethyl-2-butenyloxy, 1 -ethyl-1-butenyloxy, 1 -ethyl-2-butenyloxy, 1 -ethyl-3-butenyloxy,2-ethyl-1-butenyloxy, 2-ethyl-2-butenyloxy, 2-ethyl-3-butenyloxy,1,1,2-trimethyl-2-propenyloxy, 1 -ethyl-1 -methyl-2-propenyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-methyl-1 -propenyloxy, 1 -ethyl-2-methyl-2-propenyloxy and thelike. Examples for C₂-C₁₀-alkenyloxy are, in addition to the examplesmentioned for C₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, 1-heptenyloxy, 2-heptenyloxy,3-heptenyloxy, 1-octenyloxy, 2-octenyloxy, 3-octenyloxy, 4-octenyloxy,1-nonenyloxy, 2-nonenyloxy, 3-nonenyloxy, 4-nonenyloxy, 1-decenyloxy,2-decenyloxy, 3-decenyloxy, 4-decenyloxy, 5-decenyloxy and thepositional isomers thereof.

The term “alkynyloxy” refers to an alkynyl group, as defined above,attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. If theterm “alkynyloxy” is used without prefix (C_(n)-C_(m)), it it relates toC₂-C₂₀-alkynyloxy. Examples for C₂-C₃-alkynyloxy are ethynyloxy,1-propynyloxy or 2-propynyloxy. Examples for C₂-C₄-alkynyl areethynyloxy, 1-propynyloxy, 2-propynyloxy, 1-butynyloxyoxy, 2-butynyl,3-butynyloxy, 1-methyl-2-propynyloxy and the like. Examples forC₂-C₆-alkynyloxy are, in addition to those mentioned forC₂-C₆-alkenyloxy, 1-pentynyloxy, 2-pentynyloxy, 3-pentynyloxy,4-pentynyloxy, 1-methyl-2-butynyloxy, 1-methyl-3-butynyloxy,2-methyl-3-butynyloxy, 3-methyl-1-butynyloxy,1,1-dimethyl-2-propynyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-propynyloxy, 1-hexynyloxy,2-hexynyloxy, 3-hexynyloxy, 4-hexynyloxy, 5-hexynyloxy,1-methyl-2-pentynyloxy, 1-methyl-3-pentynyloxy, 1-methyl-4-pentynyloxy,2-methyl-3-pentynyloxy, 2-methyl-4-pentynyloxy, 3-methyl-1-pentynyloxy,3-methyl-4-pentynyloxy, 4-methyl-1-pentynyloxy, 4-methyl-2-pentynyloxy,1,1-di methyl-2-butynyloxy, 1,1-dimethyl-3-butynyloxy,1,2-dimethyl-3-butynyloxy, 2,2-dimethyl-3-butynyloxy,3,3-dimethyl-1-butynyloxy, 1-ethyl-2-butynyloxy, 1-ethyl-3-butynyloxy,2-ethyl-3-butynyloxy, 1-ethyl-1-methyl-2-propynyloxy and the like.

The term “cycloalkoxy” refers to a cycloalkyl group, as defined above,attached via an oxygen atom to the remainder of the molecule. If theterm “cycloalkoxy” is used without prefix (C_(n)-C_(m)), it relates toC₃-C₆-cycloalkoxy. Examples of C₃-C₆-cycloalkoxy are cyclopropoxy,cyclobutoxy, cyclopentoxy and cyclohexoxy.

The term “alkylthio” refers to alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfur atom to the remainder of the molecule. “C₁-C₂-Alkylthio” isa C₁-C₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attached via a sulfur atom to theremainder of the molecule. “C₁-C₃-Alkylthio” is a C₁-C₃-alkyl group, asdefined above, attached via a sulfur atom to the remainder of themolecule. “C₁-C₄-Alkylthio” is a C₁-C₄-alkyl group, as defined above,attached via a sulfur atom to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₆-Alkylthio” is a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined above, attached viaa sulfur atom to the remainder of the molecule. C₁-C₂-Alkylthio ismethylthio or ethylthio. Examples for C₁-C₃-alkylthio are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₂-alkylthio, n-propylthio and1-methylethylthio (isopropylthio). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkylthio are, inaddition to those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkylthio, butylthio,1-methylpropylthio (sec-butylthio), 2-methylpropylthio (isobutylthio) or1,1-dimethylethylthio (tert-butylthio). Examples for C₁-C₆-alkylthioare, in addition to those mentioned for C₁-C₄-alkylthio, pentylthio,1-methylbutylthio, 2-methylbutylthio, 3-methylbutylthio,1,1-dimethylpropylthio, 1,2-dimethylpropylthio, 2,2-dimethylpropylthio,1-ethylpropylthio, hexylthio, 1-methylpentylthio, 2-methylpentylthio,3-methylpentylthio, 4-methylpentylthio, 1,1-dimethylbutylthio,1,2-dimethylbutylthio, 1,3-dimethylbutylthio, 2,2-dimethylbutylthio,2,3-dimethylbutylthio, 3,3-dimethylbutylthio, 1-ethylbutylthio,2-ethylbutylthio, 1,1,2-trimethylpropylthio, 1,2,2-trimethylpropylthio,1-ethyl-1-methylpropylthio or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylthio.

The term “alkylsulfinyl” refers to alkyl group, as defined above,attached via a sulfinyl group [S(═O)] to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₂-Alkylsulfinyl” is a C₁-C₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfinyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₃-Alkylsulfinyl” is a C₁-C₃-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfinyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₄-Alkylsulfinyl” is a C₁-C₄-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfinyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₆-Alkylsulfinyl” is a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfinyl group to the remainder of the molecule.C₁-C₂-Alkylsulfinyl is methylsulfinyl or ethylsulfinyl. Examples forC₁-C₃-alkylsulfinyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₂-alkylsulfinyl, n-propylsulfinyl and 1-methylethylsulfinyl(isopropylsulfinyl). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkylsulfinyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkylsulfinyl, butylsulfinyl,1-methylpropylsulfinyl (sec-butylsulfinyl), 2-methylpropylsulfinyl(isobutylsulfinyl) or 1,1-dimethylethylsulfinyl (tert-butylsulfinyl).Examples for C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₄-alkylsulfinyl, pentylsulfinyl, 1-methylbutylsulfinyl,2-methylbutylsulfinyl, 3-methylbutylsulfinyl,1,1-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl,2,2-dimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1-ethylpropylsulfinyl, hexylsulfinyl,1-methylpentylsulfinyl, 2-methylpentylsulfinyl, 3-methylpentylsulfinyl,4-methylpentylsulfinyl, 1,1-dimethylbutylsulfinyl,1,2-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl,2,2-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl,3,3-dimethylbutylsulfinyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfinyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfinyl,1,1,2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropylsulfinyl,1-ethyl-1-methylpropylsulfinyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylsulfinyl.

The term “alkylsulfonyl” refers to alkyl group, as defined above,attached via a sulfonyl group [S(═O)2] to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₂-Alkylsulfonyl” is a C₁-C₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₃-Alkylsulfonyl” is a C₁-C₃-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₄-Alkylsulfonyl” is a C₁-C₄-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₆-Alkylsulfonyl” is a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a sulfonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.C₁-C₂-Alkylsulfonyl is methylsulfonyl or ethylsulfonyl. Examples forC₁-C₃-alkylsulfonyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₂-alkylsulfonyl, n-propylsulfonyl and 1-methylethylsulfonyl(isopropylsulfonyl). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkylsulfonyl, butylsulfonyl,1-methylpropylsulfonyl (sec-butylsulfonyl), 2-methylpropylsulfonyl(isobutylsulfonyl) or 1,1-dimethylethylsulfonyl (tert-butylsulfonyl).Examples for C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₄-alkylsulfonyl, pentylsulfonyl, 1-methylbutylsulfonyl,2-methylbutylsulfonyl, 3-methylbutylsulfonyl,1,1-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl,2,2-dimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1-ethylpropylsulfonyl, hexylsulfonyl,1-methylpentylsulfonyl, 2-methylpentylsulfonyl, 3-methylpentylsulfonyl,4-methylpentylsulfonyl, 1,1-dimethylbutylsulfonyl,1,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl,2,2-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl,3,3-dimethylbutylsulfonyl, 1-ethylbutylsulfonyl, 2-ethylbutylsulfonyl,1,1,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropylsulfonyl,1-ethyl-1-methylpropylsulfonyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylsulfonyl.

The term “alkylcarbonyl” refers to alkyl group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group [C(═O)] to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₂-Alkylcarbonyl” is a C₁-C₂-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₃-Alkylcarbonyl” is a C₁-C₃-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₄-Alkylcarbonyl” is a C₁-C₄-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₆-Alkylcarbonyl” is a C₁-C₆-alkyl group, as defined above, attachedvia a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.C₁-C₂-Alkylcarbonyl is methylcarbonyl or ethylcarbonyl. Examples forC₁-C₃-alkylcarbonyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₂-alkylcarbonyl, n-propylcarbonyl and 1-methylethylcarbonyl(isopropylcarbonyl). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkylcarbonyl, butylcarbonyl,1-methylpropylcarbonyl (sec-butylcarbonyl), 2-methylpropylcarbonyl(isobutylcarbonyl) or 1,1-dimethylethylcarbonyl (tert-butylcarbonyl).Examples for C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, pentylcarbonyl, 1-methylbutylcarbonyl,2-methylbutylcarbonyl, 3-methylbutylcarbonyl,1,1-dimethylpropylcarbonyl, 1,2-dimethylpropylcarbonyl, 2,2-di methylpropylcarbonyl, 1-ethylpropylcarbonyl, hexylcarbonyl,1-methylpentylcarbonyl, 2-methylpentylcarbonyl, 3-methylpentylcarbonyl,4-methylpentylcarbonyl, 1,1-dimethylbutylcarbonyl,1,2-dimethylbutylcarbonyl, 1,3-dimethylbutylcarbonyl,2,2-dimethylbutylcarbonyl, 2,3-dimethylbutylcarbonyl,3,3-dimethylbutylcarbonyl, 1-ethylbutylcarbonyl, 2-ethylbutylcarbonyl,1,1,2-trimethylpropylcarbonyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropylcarbonyl,1-ethyl-1-methylpropylcarbonyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropylcarbonyl.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” refers to alkoxy group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group [C(═O)] to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₂-Alkoxycarbonyl” is a C₁-C₂-alkoxy group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₃-Alkoxycarbonyl” is a C₁-C₃-alkoxy group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₄-Alkoxycarbonyl” is a C₁-C₄-alkoxy group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.“C₁-C₆-Alkoxycarbonyl” is a C₁-C₆-alkoxy group, as defined above,attached via a carbonyl group to the remainder of the molecule.C₁-C₂-Alkoxycarbonyl is methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl. Examples forC₁-C₃-alkoxycarbonyl are, in addition to those mentioned forC₁-C₂-alkoxycarbonyl, n-propoxycarbonyl and 1-methylethoxycarbonyl(isopropoxycarbonyl). Examples for C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl are, in additionto those mentioned for C₁-C₃-alkoxycarbonyl, butoxycarbonyl,1-methylpropoxycarbonyl (sec-butoxycarbonyl), 2-methylpropoxycarbonyl(isobutoxycarbonyl) or 1,1-dimethylethoxycarbonyl (tert-butoxycarbonyl).Examples for C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl are, in addition to those mentionedfor C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, pentoxycarbonyl, 1-methylbutoxycarbonyl,2-methylbutoxycarbonyl, 3-methylbutoxycarbonyl,1,1-dimethylpropoxycarbonyl, 1,2-dimethylpropoxycarbonyl, 2,2-dimethylpropoxycarbonyl, 1-ethylpropoxycarbonyl, hexoxycarbonyl,1-methylpentoxycarbonyl, 2-methylpentoxycarbonyl,3-methylpentoxycarbonyl, 4-methylpentoxycarbonyl,1,1-dimethylbutoxycarbonyl, 1,2-dimethylbutoxycarbonyl,1,3-dimethylbutoxycarbonyl, 2,2-dimethylbutoxycarbonyl,2,3-dimethylbutoxycarbonyl, 3,3-di methyl butoxycarbonyl,1-ethylbutoxycarbonyl, 2-ethylbutoxycarbonyl,1,1,2-trimethylpropoxycarbonyl, 1,2,2-trimethylpropoxycarbonyl,1-ethyl-1-methylpropoxycarbonyl or 1-ethyl-2-methylpropoxycarbonyl.

“Amino” is —NH₂.

“C₁-C₄-alkylamino” is a group —N(H)-C₁-C₄-alkyl, where C₁-C₄-alkyl is asdefined above Examples are methylamino, ethylamino, propylamino,isopropylamino, butylamino and the like.

The term “di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)amino” denotes a group —N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂, whereeach C₁-C₄-alkyl is independently as defined above. Examples aredimethylamino, diethylamino, ethylmethylamino, dipropylamino,diisopropylamino, methylpropylamino, methylisopropylamino,ethylpropylamino, ethylisopropylamino, dibutylamino and the like.

“Aminocarbonyl” is —C(O)—NH₂.

The term “C₁-C₄-alkylaminocarbonyl” denotes a group—C(═O)—N(H)—C₁-C₄-alkyl, where C₁-C₄-alkyl is as defined above Examplesare methylaminocarbonyl, ethylaminocarbonyl, propylaminocarbonyl,isopropylaminocarbonyl, butylaminocarbonyl and the like.

The term “di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)aminocarbonyl” is a group—C(═O)—N(C₁-C₄-alkyl)₂, where each C₁-C₄-alkyl is independently asdefined above. Examples are dimethylaminocarbonyl, diethylaminocarbonyl,ethylmethylaminocarbonyl, dipropylaminocarbonyl,diisopropylaminocarbonyl, methylpropylaminocarbonyl,methylisopropylaminocarbonyl, ethylpropylaminocarbonyl,ethylisopropylaminocarbonyl, dibutylaminocarbonyl and the like.

Alkylene is a linear or branched divalent alkanediyl radical.C₁-C₃-Alkylene is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having 1,2 or 3 carbon atoms. Examples are —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)—,—CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)— and —C(CH₃)₂—.

C₃-Alkylene is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having 3carbon atoms. Examples are —CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)— and—C(CH₃)₂—.

C₁-C₄-Alkylene is a linear or branched divalent alkyl radical having 1,2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples are —CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)—,—CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—,—CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂—, and —CH₂C(CH₃)₂—.

Linear or branched C₂-C₄-alkylene is a linear or branched divalent alkylradical having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples are —CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)—,—CH₂CH₂CH₂—, —CH(CH₃)CH₂—, —CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —C(CH₃)₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH₂CH₂—,—CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂—, —CH₂CH₂CH(CH₃)—, —C(CH₃)₂CH₂— and —CH₂C(CH₃)₂—.

Linear or branched C₂-C₁₀-alkylene is a linear or branched divalentalkyl radical having 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms.Examples, in addition to the radicals stated above for C₂-C₄-alkylene,are —(CH₂)₅—, —(CH₂)₆—, —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₁₀— andpositional isomers thereof.

Linear or branched C₁-C₁₀-alkylene is a linear or branched divalentalkyl radical having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms. Oneexample, in addition to the radicals stated above for C₂-C₁₀-alkylene,is methylene (—CH₂—).

Linear or branched 06-C₁₀-alkylene is a linear or branched divalentalkyl radical having 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10 carbon atoms. Examples are—(CH₂)₆—, —(CH₂)₇—, —(CH₂)₈—, —(CH₂)₉—, —(CH₂)₁₀— and positional isomersthereof.

Alkenylene is a linear or branched divalent alkenediyl radical, e.g.C₂-C₄-alkenylene, which is in turn a linear or branched divalent alkenylradical having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples are —CH═CH—,—CH═CH—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH—, —CH═CH—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH═CH—CH₂—, and—CH₂—CH₂—CH═CH—.

Alkynylene is a linear or branched divalent alkynediyl radical, e.g.C₂-C₄-alkynylene, which is in turn a linear or branched divalent alkynylradical having 2, 3 or 4 carbon atoms. Examples are —C≡C—, —C≡C—CH₂—,—CH₂—C≡C—, —C≡C—CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—C≡C—CH₂—, and —CH₂—CH₂—C≡C—.

Divalent aliphatic radicals are those which contain no cycloaliphatic,aromatic or heterocyclic constituents. Examples are alkylene,alkenylene, and alkynylene radicals.

Divalent cycloaliphatic radicals may contain one or more, e.g., one ortwo, cycloaliphatic radicals; however, they contain no aromatic orheterocyclic constituents. The cycloaliphatic radicals may besubstituted by aliphatic radicals, but bonding sites for he NH groups(see below embodiments of the invention) are located on thecycloaliphatic radical.

Divalent aromatic radicals may contain one or more, e.g., one or two,aromatic radicals; however, they contain no cycloaliphatic orheterocyclic constituents. The aromatic radicals may be substituted byaliphatic radicals, but both bonding sites for the NH groups are locatedon the aromatic radical(s).

Alkanols are compounds of formula R—OH in which R is a linear orbranched alkyl group. C₁-C₄-alkanols are compounds R—OH in which R is alinear or branched C₁-C₄-alkyl group. C₁-C₆-alkanols are compounds R—OHin which R is a linear or branched C₁-C₆-alkyl group. Examples forC₁-C₄-alkanols are methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol,n-butanol, sec-butanol, isobutanol and tert-butanol. Examples forC₁-C₆-alkanols are, in addition to those mentioned for C₁-C₄-alkanols,1-pentanol, 2-pentanol, 3-pentanol, 1-hexanol, 2-hexanol, 3-hexanol andthe isomers thereof.

Alkanediols are compounds of formula HO-A-OH in which A is a linear orbranched alkylene group, i.e. a divalent linear or branched alkanediylradical. C₂-C₄-alkanediols are compounds of formula HO-A-OH in which Ais a linear or branched C₂-C₄-alkylene group. Examples are1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol), 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol),1,3-propanediol, 1,2-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol and 1,4-butanediol.

The term “3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated, partially unsaturatedor maximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring containing 1, 2 or 3heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting ofN, O, S, NO, SO and SO₂, as ring members” [wherein “maximum unsaturated”includes also “aromatic”] as used herein denotes monocyclic radicals,the monocyclic radicals being saturated, partially unsaturated ormaximum unsaturated (including aromatic).

Unsaturated rings contain at least one C—C and/or C—N and/or N—N doublebond(s). Maximally unsaturated rings contain as many conjugated C—Cand/or C—N and/or N—N double bonds as allowed by the ring size.Maximally unsaturated 5- or 6-membered heteromonocyclic rings aregenerally aromatic. Exceptions are maximally unsaturated 6-memberedrings containing O, S, SO and/or SO₂ as ring members, such as pyran andthiopyran, which are not aromatic. Partially unsaturated rings containless than the maximum number of C—C and/or C—N and/or N—N double bond(s)allowed by the ring size. The heterocyclic ring may be attached to theremainder of the molecule via a carbon ring member or via a nitrogenring member. As a matter of course, the heterocyclic ring contains atleast one carbon ring atom. If the ring contains more than one O ringatom, these are not adjacent.

Examples of a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated heteromonocyclicring include: Oxiran-2-yl, thiiran-2-yl, aziridin-1-yl, aziridin-2-yl,oxetan-2-yl, oxetan-3-yl, thietan-2-yl, thietan-3-yl, 1-oxothietan-2-yl,1-oxothietan-3-yl, 1,1-dioxothietan-2-yl, 1,1-dioxothietan-3-yl,azetidin-1-yl, azetidin-2-yl, azetidin-3-yl, tetrahydrofuran-2-yl,tetrahydrofuran-3-yl, tetrahydrothien-2-yl, tetrahydrothien-3-yl,1-oxotetrahydrothien-2-yl, 1,1-dioxotetrahydrothien-2-yl,1-oxotetrahydrothien-3-yl, 1,1-dioxotetrahydrothien-3-yl,pyrrolidin-1-yl, pyrrolidin-2-yl, pyrrolidin-3-yl, pyrazolidin-1-yl,pyrazolidin-3-yl, pyrazolidin-4-yl, pyrazolidin-5-yl, imidazolidin-1-yl,imidazolidin-2-yl, imidazolidin-4-yl, oxazolidin-2-yl, oxazolidin-3-yl,oxazolidin-4-yl, oxazolidin-5-yl, isoxazolidin-2-yl, isoxazolidin-3-yl,isoxazolidin-4-yl, isoxazolidin-5-yl, thiazolidin-2-yl,thiazolidin-3-yl, thiazolidin-4-yl, thiazolidin-5-yl,isothiazolidin-2-yl, isothiazolidin-3-yl, isothiazolidin-4-yl,isothiazolidin-5-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-3-yl,1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-4-yl, 1,2,4-oxadiazolidin-5-yl,1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-2-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-3-yl,1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-4-yl, 1,2,4-thiadiazolidin-5-yl,1,2,4-triazolidin-1-yl, 1,2,4-triazolidin-3-yl, 1,2,4-triazolidin-4-yl,1,3,4-oxadiazolidin-2-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazolidin-3-yl,1,3,4-thiadiazolidin-2-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazolidin-3-yl,1,3,4-triazolidin-1-yl, 1,3,4-triazolidin-2-yl, 1,3,4-triazolidin-3-yl,tetrahydropyran-2-yl, tetrahydropyran-3-yl, tetrahydropyran-4-yl,1,3-dioxan-2-yl, 1,3-dioxan-4-yl, 1,3-dioxan-5-yl, 1,4-dioxan-2-yl,piperidin-1-yl, piperidin-2-yl, piperidin-3-yl, piperidin-4-yl,hexahydropyridazin-1-yl, hexahydropyridazin-3-yl,hexahydropyridazin-4-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-1-yl,hexahydropyrimidin-2-yl, hexahydropyrimidin-4-yl,hexahydropyrimidin-5-yl, piperazin-1-yl, piperazin-2-yl,1,3,5-hexahydrotriazin-1-yl, 1,3,5-hexahydrotriazin-2-yl,1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-1-yl, 1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-2-yl,1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-3-yl, 1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-4-yl,1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-5-yl, 1,2,4-hexahydrotriazin-6-yl,morpholin-2-yl, morpholin-3-yl, morpholin-4-yl, thiomorpholin-2-yl,thiomorpholin-3-yl, thiomorpholin-4-yl, 1-oxothiomorpholin-2-yl,1-oxothiomorpholin-3-yl, 1-oxothiomorpholin-4-yl,1,1-dioxothiomorpholin-2-yl, 1,1-dioxothiomorpholin-3-yl,1,1-dioxothiomorpholin-4-yl, azepan-1—, -2—, -3- or -4-yl, oxepan-2—,-3—, -4- or -5-yl, hexahydro-1,3-diazepinyl, hexahydro-1,4-diazepinyl,hexahydro-1,3-oxazepinyl, hexahydro-1,4-oxazepinyl,hexahydro-1,3-dioxepinyl, hexahydro-1,4-dioxepinyl, and the like.

Examples of a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered partially unsaturatedheteromonocyclic ring include: 2,3-dihydrofuran-2-yl,2,3-dihydrofuran-3-yl, 2,4-dihydrofuran-2-yl, 2,4-dihydrofuran-3-yl,2,3-dihydrothien-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2,4-dihydrothien-2-yl,2,4-dihydrothien-3-yl, 2-pyrrolin-2-yl, 2-pyrrolin-3-yl,3-pyrrolin-2-yl, 3-pyrrolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-3-yl, 3-isoxazolin-3-yl,4-isoxazolin-3-yl, 2-isoxazolin-4-yl, 3-isoxazolin-4-yl,4-isoxazolin-4-yl, 2-isoxazolin-5-yl, 3-isoxazolin-5-yl,4-isoxazolin-5-yl, 2-isothiazolin-3-yl, 3-isothiazolin-3-yl,4-isothiazolin-3-yl, 2-isothiazolin-4-yl, 3-isothiazolin-4-yl,4-isothiazolin-4-yl, 2-isothiazolin-5-yl, 3-isothiazolin-5-yl,4-isothiazolin-5-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-1-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-2-yl,2,3-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 2,3-dihydropyrazol-4-yl,2,3-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-1-yl,3,4-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydropyrazol-4-yl,3,4-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-1-yl,4,5-dihydropyrazol-3-yl, 4,5-dihydropyrazol-4-yl,4,5-dihydropyrazol-5-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-3-yl,2,3-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 2,3-dihydrooxazol-5-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl,3,4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-5-yl,3,4-dihydrooxazol-2-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-3-yl, 3,4-dihydrooxazol-4-yl,2-, 3-, 4-, 5- or 6-di- or tetrahydropyridinyl, 3-di- ortetrahydropyridazinyl, 4-di- or tetrahydropyridazinyl, 2-di- ortetrahydropyrimidinyl, 4-di- or tetrahydropyrimidinyl, 5-di- ortetrahydropyrimidinyl, di- or tetrahydropyrazinyl, 1,3,5-di- ortetrahydrotriazin-2-yl, 1,2,4-di- or tetrahydrotriazin-3-yl,2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[11-I]azepin-1—, -2—, -3—, -4—, —S—, -6- or -7-yl,3,4,5,6-tetrahydro[2H]azepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,2,3,4,7-tetrahydro[1H]azepin-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,2,3,6,7-tetrahydro[1H]azepin-1-, -2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,tetrahydrooxepinyl, such as 2,3,4,5-tetrahydro[1H]oxepin-2—, -3—, -4-,-5-, -6- or -7-yl, 2,3,4,7-tetrahydro[1H]oxepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6-or -7-yl, 2,3,6,7-tetrahydro[1H]oxepin-2-, -3-, -4-, -5-, -6- or -7-yl,tetrahydro-1,3-diazepinyl, tetrahydro-1,4-diazepinyl,tetrahydro-1,3-oxazepinyl, tetrahydro-1,4-oxazepinyl,tetrahydro-1,3-dioxepinyl, tetrahydro-1,4-dioxepinyl and the like.

Examples of a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered maximally unsaturated(including aromatic) heteromonocyclic ring are 2-furyl, 3-furyl,2-thienyl, 3-thienyl, 1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 1-pyrazolyl,3-pyrazolyl, 4-pyrazolyl, 5-pyrazolyl, 1-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl,4-imidazolyl, 5-imidazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl,3-isoxazolyl, 4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl,5-thiazolyl, 3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl,1,3,4-triazol-1-yl, 1,3,4-triazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-triazol-3-yl,1,2,3-triazol-1-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-2-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl,1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-4-yl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-5-yl,1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl, 1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl,1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl, 1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl,4-pyridinyl, 1-oxopyridin-2-yl, 1-oxopyridin-3-yl, 1-oxopyridin-4-yl,3-pyridazinyl, 4-pyridazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl,5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl, 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl, 1,2,4-triazin-3-yl,1,2,4-triazin-5-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrazin-1-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrazin-2-yl,1,2,3,4-tetrazin-5-yl, pyran-2-yl, pyran-3-yl, pyran-4-yl,thiopyran-2-yl, thiopryran-3-yl, thiopryran-4-yl, 1-oxothiopryran-2-yl,1-oxothiopryran-3-yl, 1-oxothiopryran-4-yl, 1,1-dioxothiopryran-2-yl,1,1-dioxothiopryran-3-yl, 1,1-dioxothiopryran-4-yl, 2H-oxazin-2-yl,2H-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-oxazin-5-yl, 2H-oxazin-6-yl,4H-oxazin-3-yl, 4H-oxazin-4-yl, 4H-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-oxazin-6-yl,6H-oxazin-3-yl, 6H-oxazin-4-yl, 7H-oxazin-5-yl, 8H-oxazin-6-yl,2H-1,3-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-1,3-oxazin-4-yl, 2H-1,3-oxazin-5-yl,2H-1,3-oxazin-6-yl, 4H-1,3-oxazin-2-yl, 4H-1,3-oxazin-4-yl,4H-1,3-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-1,3-oxazin-6-yl, 6H-1,3-oxazin-2-yl,6H-1,3-oxazin-4-yl, 6H-1,3-oxazin-5-yl, 6H-1,3-oxazin-6-yl,2H-1,4-oxazin-2-yl, 2H-1,4-oxazin-3-yl, 2H-1,4-oxazin-5-yl,2H-1,4-oxazin-6-yl, 4H-1,4-oxazin-2-yl, 4H-1,4-oxazin-3-yl,4H-1,4-oxazin-4-yl, 4H-1,4-oxazin-5-yl, 4H-1,4-oxazin-6-yl,6H-1,4-oxazin-2-yl, 6H-1,4-oxazin-3-yl, 6H-1,4-oxazin-5-yl,6H-1,4-oxazin-6-yl, 1,4-dioxine-2-yl, 1,4-oxathiin-2-yl, 1H-azepine,1H-[1,3]-diazepine, 1H-[1,4]-diazepine, and the like.

Examples for 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic rings containing1, 2, 3 or 4 heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, 0 andS as ring members are 2-furyl, 3-furyl, 2-thienyl, 3-thienyl,1-pyrrolyl, 2-pyrrolyl, 3-pyrrolyl, 1-pyrazolyl, 3-pyrazolyl,4-pyrazolyl, 5-pyrazolyl, 1-imidazolyl, 2-imidazolyl, 4-imidazolyl,5-imidazolyl, 2-oxazolyl, 4-oxazolyl, 5-oxazolyl, 3-isoxazolyl,4-isoxazolyl, 5-isoxazolyl, 2-thiazolyl, 4-thiazolyl, 5-thiazolyl,3-isothiazolyl, 4-isothiazolyl, 5-isothiazolyl, 1,3,4-triazol-1-yl,1,3,4-triazol-2-yl, 1,3,4-triazol-3-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-1-yl,1,2,3-triazol-2-yl, 1,2,3-triazol-4-yl, 1,2,5-oxadiazol-3-yl,1,2,3-oxadiazol-4-yl, 1,2,3-oxadiazol-5-yl, 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl,1,2,5-thiadiazol-3-yl, 1,2,3-thiadiazol-4-yl, 1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl,1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl, 2-pyridinyl, 3-pyridinyl, 4-pyridinyl,1-oxopyridin-2-yl, 1-oxopyridin-3-yl, 1-oxopyridin-4-yl, 3-pyridazinyl,4-pyridazinyl, 2-pyrimidinyl, 4-pyrimidinyl, 5-pyrimidinyl, 2-pyrazinyl,1,3,5-triazin-2-yl, 1,2,4-triazin-3-yl, 1,2,4-triazin-5-yl,1,2,3,4-tetrazin-1-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrazin-2-yl, 1,2,3,4-tetrazin-5-yl andthe like.

An “aromatic ring or ring system” in terms of the present invention iscarboaromatic; i.e. it contains no heteroatoms as ring members. It ismonocyclic or a condensed system, in which at least one of the rings isaromatic, i.e. conforms to the I-10ckel 4n+2 it electrons rule. Examplesare phenyl, naphthyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, indanyl, indenyl andfluorenyl.

A “heteroaromatic ring or ring system” in terms of the present inventioncontains at least one heteroatom or heteroatom group selected from thegroup consisting of N, O, S, NO, SO and SO₂ as ring member. It ismonocyclic or a condensed system in which at least one of the rings isaromatic. Examples for monocyclic heteroaromatic rings are the abovelisted 5- or 6-membered monocyclic heteroaromatic rings. Examples forcondensed systems are the following:

In the above structures # denotes the attachment point to the remainderof the molecule. The attachment point is not restricted to the ring onwhich this is shown, but can be on either of the two rings, and may beon a carbon or on a nitrogen ring atom. If the rings carry one or moresubstituents, these may be bound to carbon and/or to nitrogen ringatoms.

The below remarks made to the light stabilizer selected from stericallyhindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries abasicity-reducing substituent, the antioxidant containing one or morethioether groups, the plasticizer containing carboxylate groups andfurther optional components contained in the stabilizer compositionapply both to the stabilizer composition as well as to the polymercomposition of the invention and to their uses and methods of usingthem.

The below remarks made to the preferred and particular embodiments ofthe light stabilizer selected from sterically hindered amines (HALS) inwhich the amino group carries a basicity-reducing substituent, theantioxidant containing one or more thioether groups, the plasticizercontaining carboxylate groups, STP or further optional componentscontained in the compositions of the invention as well as to their usesapply both as taken alone and, in particular, in any conceivablecombination with each other.

Sterically Hindered Amines with a Basicity-Reducing Substituent on theAmino Group

HALS are derivatives of 2,2,6,6-tetraalkyl piperidine, mostly2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidine, and are well known in the art. If thering nitrogen atom of the piperidine ring is substituted by hydrogen oralkyl, its basicity is rather high. The basicity can be reduced byappropriate substituents which reduce the electron density on thenitrogen atom. Suitable substituents are for example alkoxy, alkenyloxy,alkynyloxy, cycloalkoxy, phenyloxy or benzyloxy groups and carbonyl orthiocarbonyl groups either bound directly or flexibly in y- ors-position to the nitrogen ring atom so that an intramolecular 5- or6-membered ring can be formed by interaction of N with the C(═O) orC(═S) group. If the carbonyl or thiocarbonyl groups is bound flexibly inγ- or δ-position to the nitrogen ring atom, this results in followingbonding situation: N-A-C(═X), where N is the amino nitrogen atom of theHALS, X is O or S and A is a 3- or 4-membered bridging group. Thebridging group may be an alkylene group which may contain an oxygenatom, e.g. a group —(CH₂)_(n)— or —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, where O is bound toC(═X), n is 3 or 4 and p is 2 or 3.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 1), the sterically hindered aminecontaining a basicity-reducing substituent on the amino group isselected from the group consisting of

compounds of formula I

wherein

-   -   R¹ is a group -A-C(═X)—R⁵ or a group —OR⁶;    -   R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other,        are C₁-C₃-alkyl;    -   R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,        C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R⁷; —OR⁹,        —S(O)_(m)R⁹, —NR^(10a)R^(10b), —C(═O)R¹¹ and —C(═S)R¹¹;    -   R⁵ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which        may carry one or more substituents R⁷; —OR⁸, and        —NR^(10a)R^(10b);    -   R⁶ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which        may carry one or more substituents R⁷; and —C(═O)—C₁-C₈-alkyl,        where the alkyl moiety may carry one or more substituents R⁷;    -   each R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of        —Si(R¹²)₃, —OR⁸, —OSO₂R⁸, —S(O)_(m)R⁹, —N(R^(10a))R^(10b),        —C(═O)N(R^(10a))R^(10b), —C(═S)N(R^(10a))R^(10b), —C(═O)OR⁸,        —CH═NOR⁸, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with one or        more substituents R¹³, phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2,        3, 4 or 5 substituents R¹³, and a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered        saturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated        heterocyclic ring comprising 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom        groups selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, NO, SO and        SO₂, as ring members, where the heterocyclic ring is optionally        substituted with one or more substituents R¹³;    -   each R⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of        from hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more        substituents R¹⁴; and —C(═O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, where the alkyl        moiety may carry one or more substituents R¹⁴;    -   each R⁹ is independently selected from the group consisting of        hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents        R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy;    -   R^(10a) and R^(10b), independently of each other and        independently of each occurrence, are selected from the group        consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more        substituents R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy;    -   each R¹¹ is independently selected from the group consisting of        hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents        R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy;    -   each R¹² is independently selected from the group consisting of        C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R¹⁴; and        C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy;    -   each R¹³ is independently selected from the group consisting of        hydroxyl, cyano, C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or two R¹³ bound        on the same carbon atom of a cycloalkyl ring or a heterocyclic        ring may form together a group ═O;    -   each R¹⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of        —Si(R¹⁵)₃, hydroxyl, cyano, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, amino,        C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-amino, aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₄-alkylaminocarbonyl, di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl,        C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl,        optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents R¹³,        phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents        R¹³, and a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated, partially        unsaturated or maximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring        comprising 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected        from the group consisting of N, O, S, NO, SO and SO₂, as ring        members, where the heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted        with one or more substituents R¹³;    -   each R¹⁵ is independently selected from the group consisting of        C₁-C₁₂-alkyl and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy;

A is —(CH₂)_(n)— or —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, where O is bound to C(═X);

X is O or S;

m is 0, 1 or 2;

n is 3 or 4; and

p is 2 or 3;

compounds of formula II

where

-   -   each R¹′ has independently one of the meanings given above for        R¹;    -   R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other,        are as defined above (i.e. independently of each other are        C₁-C₃-alkyl); and    -   G is selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₀-alkylene,        —O—C₂-C₁₀-alkylene-O—, —C(═O)—C₁-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—, and        —O—C(═O)—C₁-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—O—;

compounds of formula III

where

-   -   R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other,        are as defined above (i.e. independently of each other are        C₁-C₃-alkyl);    -   E is —(CH₂)_(n)—, —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, where O is bound to C(═O),        —(CH₂)_(n)—C(═O)-E¹-, or —(CH₂)_(p)—O—C(═O)-E¹-, where

n and p are as defined above (i.e. n is 3 or 4 and p is 2 or 3); and

E¹ is linear or branched C₁-C₁₀-alkylene;

R¹⁶ is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl;

R¹⁷ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl or C₁-C₄-alkoxy; and

k is 2 to 50;

and

mixtures thereof.

In compounds I R¹ is preferably a group -A-C(═X)—R⁵ (embodiment 1.1).More preferably (embodiment 1.1.1), R¹ is a group -A-C(═X)—R⁵, where

A is —(CH₂)_(p)—O—;

X is O;

R⁵ is C₁-C₁₂-alkyl; and

p is 2 or 3.

In particular (embodiment 1.1.1.1), R¹ is a group —(CH₂)₂—O—C(═O)—R⁵,where

R⁵ is C₁-C₅-alkyl; in particular 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl;

R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b) are methyl; and

R⁴ is a group —O—C(═O)—C₁-C₅-alkyl; in particular—O—C(═O)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl).

In a specific embodiment (embodiment 1.1.1.1.a), the compound of formulaI is a compound of formula I.1

Preferably (embodiment 1.2), in compounds II

-   -   each R¹′ is independently a group —OR⁶; where R⁶ is        C₄-C₁₂-alkyl; and

G is —O—C(═O)—C₆-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—O—.

In a specific embodiment (embodiment 1.2.1), the compound of formula IIis a compound of formula II.1

Preferably (embodiment 1.3), in compounds III

-   -   E is —(CH₂)₂—O—C(═O)-E¹-, where E¹ is linear or branched        C₂-C₄-alkylene;

R¹⁶ is hydrogen;

R¹⁷ is C₁-C₄-alkoxy; and

k is from 8 to 20.

In a specific embodiment (embodiment 1.3.1), the compound of formula IIIis a compound of formula III.1

where k is from 8 to 20.

In one preferred embodiment (embodiment 1.4), the sterically hinderedamine comprises at least one compound of formula I, where the compoundof formula I is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1or 1.1.1.1.a. Specifically (embodiment 1.4.1), the sterically hinderedamine comprises a compound of formula I.1.

In another preferred embodiment (embodiment 1.5), the stericallyhindered amine comprises at least one compound of formula II, where thecompound of formula II is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.2 or1.2.1. Specifically (embodiment 1.5.1), the sterically hindered aminecomprises a compound of formula II.1.

In yet another preferred embodiment (embodiment 1.6), the stericallyhindered amine comprises at least one compound of formula III, where thecompound of formula III is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.3 or1.3.1. Specifically (embodiment 1.6.1), the sterically hindered aminecomprises a compound of formula III.1.

In another preferred embodiment (embodiment 1.7), the stericallyhindered amine comprises at least one compound of formula II and/or atleast one compound of formula III, where the compound of formula II isas defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.2 or 1.2.1, and the compound offormula III is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.3 or 1.3.1.

In a more preferred embodiment (embodiment 1.8), the sterically hinderedamine comprises at least one compound of formula I, where the compoundof formula I is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1or 1.1.1.1.a, and optionally also at least one compound of formula IIand/or at least one compound of formula III, where the compound offormula II is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.2 or 1.2.1, and thecompound of formula III is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.3 or1.3.1. Specifically (embodiment 1.8.1), the sterically hindered aminecomprises a compound of formula I.1 and optionally also a compound offormula II.1 and/or at least one compound of formula III.1.

More specifically (embodiment 1.8.1.1), the sterically hindered aminecomprises a compound of formula I.1 and optionally also a compound offormula II.1.

Sterically hindered amines, especially those of formulae I, II and III,and methods for preparing them are known and are for examplecommercialized under the Tinuvin® brands of BASF SE.

Antioxidant Containing Thioether Groups

The antioxidant containing one or more thioether groups is preferably ahydroxy-aromatic compound containing one or more thioether groups.Hydroxyaromatic compounds are carboaromatic or heteroaromatic compoundscarrying one or more hydroxyl groups bound to a carboaromatic orheteroaromatic ring. They carry moreover one or more thioether groups.The carboaromatic or heteroaromatic ring may moreover carry furthersubstituents and/or may be fused to one or two saturated or unsaturatedcarbocyclic or heterocyclic rings. Preferably, the hydroxyaromaticcompound containing one or more thioether groups is a phenyl ringcarrying one or two hydroxyl groups, one or more thioether groups andoptionally one or more further substituents, which are preferablyselected from C₁-C₄-alkyl groups. The thioether group is a group R-S-A-,where A is a bridging group via which the thioether group is bound tothe remainder of the molecule, preferably to the hydroxyaromatic ring,and R is an organic radical or may be another bridging group via whichthe thioether group is bound to another hydroxyaromatic ring. Inparticular, A is an alkylene group, specifically a C₁-C₁₀-alkylenegroup, where the alkylene group may be interrupted by one or morenon-adjacent groups —O—, —NH—, —S—, —C(═O)—, —C(═O)NH—, —O—C(═O)—O— or—O—C(═O)—NH—; and R is an alkyl group, specifically C₁-C₁₆-alkyl, or isa group -A-hydroxyaromatic ring.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 2), the antioxidant containing oneor more thioether groups is a compound of formula IV

where

-   -   R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c), independently of each other, are        selected from C₁-C₄-alkyl which may carry one or more groups        —SR¹⁶; with the proviso that at least one of R^(a), R^(b) and        R^(c) is C₁-C₄-alkyl which carries one or more groups —SR¹⁶;        where R¹⁶ is C₁-C₁₆-alkyl.

More preferably (embodiment 2.1), R^(a) and R^(b) are C₁-C₄-alkyl whichcarries one or more groups —SR¹⁶.

In particular (embodiment 2.1.1),

-   -   R^(a) and R^(b) are —CH₂—SR¹⁶; where R¹⁶ is linear C₆-C₁₆-alkyl;        in particular n-octyl or n-dodecyl; and

R^(c) is methyl;

The compound IV is specifically a compound of formula IV.1 (embodiment2.1.1.1)

where either both R¹⁶ are n-octyl or both are n-dodecyl.

Another antioxidant containing one or more thioether groups is forexample the compound of formula V

Preference is however given to compounds IV.

In particular (embodiment 2A) the antioxidant is as defined inembodiment 2 and the sterically hindered amine is as defined in any ofembodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1 or 1.8.1.1.In another particular embodiment (embodiment 2.1A) the antioxidant is asdefined in embodiment 2.1 and the sterically hindered amine is asdefined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2,1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8,1.8.1 or 1.8.1.1. In another particular embodiment (embodiment 2.1.1A)the antioxidant is as defined in embodiment 2.1.1 and the stericallyhindered amine is as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1 or 1.8.1.1. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 2.1.1.1A) the antioxidant is as defined inembodiment 2.1.1.1 and the sterically hindered amine is as defined inany of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3,1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1 or1.8.1.1.

Antioxidants containing one or more thioether groups and methods forpreparing them are known and are for example commercialized under theIrganox® brands of BASF SE.

Plasticizers Containing Carboxylate Groups

Carboxylate groups in this context refer to carboxylic acid ester groupsand not to the salts of carboxylic acids.

The plasticizer (c) is liquid at 25° C. “Liquid at 25° C.” in the termsof the present invention means that the plasticizers (c) have aviscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. and 1013 mbar, as measured witha CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield), cone 4, according to DIN EN ISO3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹. Preferably, the plasticizershave a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25° C., more preferably of atmost 200 Pa·s at 25° C., in particular of at most 150 Pa·s at 25° C.,more particularly of at most 100 Pa·s at 25° C., even more particularlyof at most 50 Pa·s at 25° C., specifically of at most 10 Pa·s at 25° C.,and very specifically of at most 1 Pa·s at 25° C. The viscosities relateto values as obtained with the method described above.

Plasticizers containing carboxylate groups are for example acrylatepolymer plasticizers and non-polymeric plasticizers containingcarboxylate groups, such as aromatic carboxylates, aliphaticcarboxylates or cycloaliphatic carboxylates.

Acrylate Polymer Plasticizers

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3) the plasticizer (c) is anacrylate polymer.

In terms of the present invention, “acrylates” and “methacrylates” areesters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, respectively, with hydroxylcompounds. Thus, these terms do not include the salts of acrylic ormethacrylic acid, unless explicitly specified.

The acrylate polymer plasticizers of component (c) are liquid at 25° C.and 1013 mbar. The acrylate polymers may also contain methacrylates inpolymerized form.

Thus, “acrylate polymers” in the terms of the present invention arepolymers which contain acrylates (acrylic acid esters) in polymerizedform and optionally also contain methacrylates (methacrylic acid esters)in polymerized form. The latter, if present, are generally contained inminor amounts. The acrylate polymers may moreover contain minor amountsof acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid in copolymerized form. “Minoramounts” in context with (meth)acrylic acid means at most 5% by weight,preferably, at most 3% by weight, based on the total weight of thepolymer. If the acrylate polymers are essentially composed of acrylatesin polymerized form and contain no methacrylates in polymerized form,they are also denoted as “polyacrylates” in terms of the presentinvention. The polyacrylates may however contain minor amounts ofacrylic acid in copolymerized form. “Essentially composed of” means thatthe acrylate polymers principally consist of acrylate repeating units,but may also contain minor amounts of acrylic acid in copolymerized formand/or components deriving from the production process, e.g. derivingfrom starter compounds, chain regulators and the like.

The acrylate polymers, to be more precise the side chains of theacrylate polymers, can be derived from the same or different hydroxylcompounds.

“Liquid at 25° C.” in the terms of the present invention means that theacrylate polymers have a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. and1013 mbar, as measured with a CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield), cone 4,according to DIN EN ISO 3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3.1), the plasticizer is selectedfrom acrylate polymers with a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25° C.,more preferably (embodiment 3.1.1) with a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·sat 25° C., in particular (embodiment 3.1.1.1) with a viscosity of atmost 150 Pa·s at 25° C., more particularly (embodiment 3.1.1.1.a) with aviscosity of at most 100 Pa·s at 25° C., even more particularly(embodiment 3.1.1.1.b) with a viscosity of at most 50 Pa·s at 25° C.,specifically (embodiment 3.1.1.1.c) with a viscosity of at most 10 Pa·sat 25° C., and very specifically (embodiment 3.1.1.1.d) with a viscosityof at most 1 Pa·s at 25° C. The viscosities relate to values as obtainedwith the method described above.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3.2), the plasticizer is selectedfrom acrylate polymers with a weight-average molecular weight (M_(w)) ofat most 30000, e.g. 500 to 30000 or 1000 to 30000, more preferably(embodiment 3.2.1) of at most 25000, e.g. 500 to 25000 or 1000 to 25000,even more preferably (embodiment 3.2.1.1) of at most 20000, e.g. 500 to20000 or 1000 to 20000, in particular (embodiment 3.2.1.1.a) of at most10000, e.g. 500 to 10000 or 1000 to 10000, more particularly (embodiment3.2.1.1.b) of at most 5000, e.g. 500 to 5000 or 1000 to 5000, andspecifically (embodiment 3.2.1.1.c) of at most 2000, e.g. 500 to 2000 or1000 to 2000.

Preferably (embodiment 3.3), the acrylate polymers have a polydispersity(M_(w)/M_(n)) of from 1 to 10, more preferably (embodiment 3.3.1) offrom 1 to 5, in particular of from 1 to 2 (embodiment 3.3.1.1). M_(n) isthe number-average molecular weight.

The values for number-average and weight-average molecular weight are asdetermined with gel permeation chromatography (GPC), also termedsize-exclusion chromatography (SEC), using a polystyrene standard:

Standard: polystyrene (PS) with narrow molar mass standards (PS molarmass range 580-7500000 g/mol, PSS). Hexylbenzene (162 g/mol) was used asa low molar mass marker. Extrapolation was used to estimate themolecular weight distribution outside the range of these calibrationstandards with respect to the exclusion and permeation limits.

Eluent: THF+0.1% trifluoroacetic acid

Flow rate: 1 mL/min

Injection volume: 100 μl

Concentration: 2 mg/ml

The sample solutions were filtered prior to analysis over SartoriusMinisart SRP 25 (0,2 μm).

Column temperature: 35° C.

Column combination of PLgel pre-column/PLgel MIXED-B

Detector: DRI Agilent 1100

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3.4), the plasticizer is selectedfrom acrylate polymers with a glass transition temperature (T_(g)) of atmost −40° C., more preferably (embodiment 3.4.1) of at most −45° C., inparticular (embodiment 3.4.1.1) of at most −50° C., more particularly(embodiment 3.4.1.1.a) of at most −60° C., and specifically (embodiment3.4.1.1.b) of at most −65° C.

The glass transition temperature given above refers to values asobtained with T_(g) method 92/69/EEC A.1 DSC 10° C./min.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3.5), the plasticizer is selectedfrom acrylate polymers with a weight-average molecular weight of at most30000, a glass transition temperature of at most −40° C. and a viscosityof at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. In particular (embodiment 3.5.1), theplasticizer is selected from acrylate polymers with a weight-averagemolecular weight of at most 25000, a glass transition temperature of atmost −45° C. and a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25° C.

If the acrylate polymers contain methacrylate in polymerized form, theseare preferably (embodiment 3.6) present in an amount of at most 10% byweight, more preferably (embodiment 3.6.1) at most 5% by weight, inparticular (embodiment 3.6.1.1) of at most 2% by weight and specifically(embodiment 3.6.1.1.a) of at most 1% by weight, based on the totalweight of the polymer.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 3.7), the plasticizer is selectedfrom polyacrylates containing repeating units of formula

where each R^(α) is independently C₁-C₆-alkyl which may carry onesubstituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy andC₁-C₄-alkoxy, and where each R^(α) is in particular independentlyselected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl andC₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl. In other words, the plasticizer is preferablyselected from polymers of acrylic acid esters, where the alcohol fromwhich the acrylic acid esters are derived are selected from compounds offormula R^(α)—OH, where Ra is as defined above. The polyacrylates maycontain minor amounts of acrylic acid in copolymerized form.

More preferably (embodiment 3.7.1), the polyacrylates are derived fromC₁-C₆-alkanols, C₂-C₄-alkanediols and mixtures thereof; i.e. in theabove formula each R^(α) is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl and C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl.

In particular (embodiment 3.7.1.1), the polyacrylates are either derivedfrom C₁-C₆-alkanols, specifically n-butanol (in this case thepolyacrylate is poly(butylacrylate), or are derived from mixtures ofC₁-C₆-alkanols and C₂-C₄-alkanediols, specifically from mixtures ofn-butanol and ethylene glycol (in this case the polyacrylate is acopolymer of butylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate); i.e. thepolyacrylates contain repeating units of the above formula wherein eachR^(α) is independently selected from C₁-C₆-alkyl and is specificallyn-butyl (in this specific case the polyacrylate is poly(butylacrylate),or in the polyacrylates in a part of the repeating units R^(α) isC₁-C₆-alkyl and is specifically n-butyl, and in another part of therepeating units R^(α) is C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl and specifically2-hydroxyethyl (i.e. in a specific case the polyacrylate is a copolymerof butylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate).

Specifically (embodiment 3.7.1.2), the polyacrylates are either derivedfrom C₁-C₆-alkanols, specifically n-butanol (in this case thepolyacrylate is poly(butylacrylate), or are derived from mixtures ofC₁-C₆-alkanols and C₂-C₄-alkanediols, specifically from mixtures ofn-butanol and ethylene glycol (in this case the polyacrylate is acopolymer of butylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate); i.e. thepolyacrylates contain repeating units of the above formula wherein eachR^(α) is independently selected from C₁-C₆-alkyl and is specificallyn-butyl (in this specific case the polyacrylate is poly(butylacrylate),or in the polyacrylates in a part of the repeating units R^(α) isC₁-C₆-alkyl and is specifically n-butyl, and in another part of therepeating units R^(α) is C₂-C₄-hydroxyalkyl and specifically2-hydroxyethyl (i.e. in a specific case the polyacrylate is a copolymerof butylacrylate and 2-hydroxyethylacrylate); and contain moreover 1 to5% by weight, preferably 2 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight ofthe polymer, acrylic acid in copolymerized form (i.e. repeating units ofthe above formula wherein R^(α) is H).

In a particular embodiment (embodiment 3A) the plasticizer is a asdefined in embodiment 3 and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment 3.1A)the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.1 and the stericallyhindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1,1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1,2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment(embodiment 3.1.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.1.1and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined inany of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3,1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1,1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.1.1.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3.1.1.1 and the sterically hindered amine andthe antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A,2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.1.1.1.aA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.1.1.1.a andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.1.1.1.bA) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.1.1.1.b and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.1.1.1.cA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.1.1.1.c andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.1.1.1.dA) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.1.1.1.d and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment 3.2A)the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.2 and the stericallyhindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1,1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1,2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment(embodiment 3.2.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.2.1and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined inany of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3,1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1,1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.2.1.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3.2.1.1 and the sterically hindered amine andthe antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A,2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.2.1.1.aA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.2.1.1.a andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.2.1.1.bA) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.2.1.1.b and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.2.1.1.cA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.2.1.1.c andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.3A) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.3 and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant areas defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2,1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8,1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.3.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3.3.1 and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.3.1.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.3.1.1 and thesterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any ofembodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.4A) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.4 and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant areas defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2,1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8,1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.4.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3..4.1 and the sterically hindered amine andthe antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A,2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.4.1.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.4.1.1 and thesterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any ofembodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.4.1.1.aA) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.4.1.1.1a and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.4.1.1.bA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.4.1.1.1b andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.5A) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.5 and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant areas defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2,1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8,1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.5.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3.5.1 and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment 3.6A)the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.6 and the stericallyhindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1,1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1,2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment(embodiment 3.6.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.6.1and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined inany of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3,1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1,1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.6.1.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3..6.1.1 and the sterically hindered amine andthe antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A,2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.6.1.1.aA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.6.1.1.a andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.7A) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.7 and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant areas defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2,1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8,1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 3.7.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 3.7.1 and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment3.7.1.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 3.7.1.1 and thesterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any ofembodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 3.7.1.2A) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 3.7.1.2 and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidantare as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a,1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1,1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or2.1.1.1A.

Acrylate polymers fulfilling the above specifications are known and arefor example commercialized under the Joncryl® and Acronal® brands ofBASF SE.

Non-Polymeric Plasticizers Containing Carboxylate Groups

In another preferred embodiment (embodiment 4) the plasticizer (c) is anon-polymeric plasticizer containing carboxylate groups, such asaromatic carboxylates, aliphatic carboxylates or cycloaliphaticcarboxylates.

Aromatic carboxylates are for example C₄-C₁₂-alkyl phthalates, e.g.bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate.

Aliphatic carboxylates are for example C₄-C₁₂-alkyl adipates, e.g.bis(2-ethylhexyl)-adipate or bis(2-ethyloctyl)adipate, orC₄-C₁₂-alkylcitrates, e.g. trisethylcitrate.

Cycloaliphatic carboxylates are for example C₄-C₂₀-alkyl esters ofcyclohexane dicarboxylic acids, in particular 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid di-C₄-C₂₀-alkyl esters, more particularly1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di-C₄-C₁₂-alkyl esters, specifically1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH).

Among the non-polymeric plasticizer preference is given (embodiment 4.1)to cycloaliphatic carboxylates, more preferably (embodiment 4.1.1) toC₄-C₂₀-alkyl esters of cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids, in particular(embodiment 4.1.1.1) to 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic aciddi-C₄-C₂₀-alkyl esters, more particularly (embodiment 4.1.1.1.a) to1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid di-C₄-C₁₂-alkyl esters, specifically(embodiment 4.1.1.1.b) to 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononylester.

In a particular embodiment (embodiment 4A) the plasticizer is a asdefined in embodiment 4 and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment 4.1A)the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 4.1 and the stericallyhindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1,1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1,2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment(embodiment 4.1.1A) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 4.1.1and the sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined inany of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3,1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1,1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. Inanother particular embodiment (embodiment 4.1.1.1A) the plasticizer is aas defined in embodiment 4.1.1.1 and the sterically hindered amine andthe antioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1,1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6,1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A,2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particular embodiment (embodiment4.1.1.1.aA) the plasticizer is a as defined in embodiment 4.1.1.1.a andthe sterically hindered amine and the antioxidant are as defined in anyof embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1, 1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1,1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1, 1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2,2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A, 2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A. In another particularembodiment (embodiment 4.1.1.1.bA) the plasticizer is a as defined inembodiment 4.1.1.1.b and the sterically hindered amine and theantioxidant are as defined in any of embodiments 1, 1.1, 1.1.1, 1.1.1.1,1.1.1.1a, 1.2, 1.2.1, 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.4, 1.4.1, 1.5, 1.5.1, 1.6, 1.6.1,1.7, 1.7.1, 1.8, 1.8.1, 1.8.1.1, 2, 2.1, 2.1.1, 2.1.1.1, 2A, 2.1A,2.1.1A or 2.1.1.1A.

Non-polymeric plasticizer containing carboxylate groups, such as theabove-described aromatic carboxylates, aliphatic carboxylates orcycloaliphatic carboxylates, and methods for preparing them are knownand commercialized.

The plasticizers (c) are preferably selected from acrylate polymers, inparticular from the acrylate polymers described above as preferred, andfrom cycloaliphatic carboxylates, in particular from cycloaliphaticcarboxylates described above as preferred.

Further Components

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 5), the stabilizing composition ofthe invention and/or the polymer composition of the invention, inaddition to components (a), (b) and (c), further comprises

(d) at least one UV absorber, in particular at least one triazine UVabsorber.

The presence of an UV absorber is particularly expedient if thestabilizer or the polymer composition is used in applications which areexposed to UV light, e.g. to sunlight. If the compositions are not usedin applications exposed to UV light, e.g. in sealants for flooring, e.g.in parquet flooring, the presence of component (d) can be dispensedwith.

Triazine UV Absorbers

Triazine UV absorbers are characterized by containing at least onetriazine ring. The triazine ring generally carries at least onehydroxyphenyl ring.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 5.1) the UV absorber is a triazineabsorber of formula VI

where

-   -   R^(A) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and        C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R¹⁷;    -   R^(B) and R^(C), independently of each other, are selected from        the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more        substituents R¹⁷; OH and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, where the alkyl moiety        in alkoxy may carry one or more substituents R¹⁷;    -   each R¹⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of        OH and C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy; and

q and r, independently of each other, are 0, 1 or 2.

More preferably (embodiment 5.1.1),

-   -   R^(A) is C₁-C₄-alkyl which carries two substituents R¹⁷; where        each R¹⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting of        OH and C₁₂-C₁₄-alkoxy;        -   where R^(A) is in particular            —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—C_(n)H_(2n+1), where n is 12 to 14; R_(B)            and R^(C), independently of each other, are C₁-C₄-alkyl, and            are in particular methyl;

and

q and r are 2.

Specifically (embodiment 5.1.1.1), the UV absorber is a triazineabsorber of formula VI.1

where R^(17a) is C₁₂-C₁₃-alkyl.

UV absorbers and methods for preparing them are known and are forexample commercialized under the Tinuvin® brands of BASF SE.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 6), the stabilizing composition ofthe invention and/or the polymer composition of the invention, inaddition to components (a), (b) and (c), further comprises

(e) at least one photolatent or thermally latent initiator.

Photolatent or Thermally Latent Initiators

Photolatent or thermally latent initiators in the terms of the presentinvention are compounds which under the influence of light, especiallyUV radiation, or heat are converted into compounds which can act asinitiators of a chemical reaction. To be more precise, the photolatentor thermally latent initiators, upon activation, can activate or promoteor catalyze the curing or crosslinking of polymers, especially of thepolymer(s) contained in the polymer composition of the presentinvention; specifically the STPs. In inactivated form, the photolatentor thermally latent initiators have no or virtually no effect on thecuring or crosslinking of polymers.

The use of photolatent or thermally latent initiators for curing orcrosslinking polymers has the advantage that the polymer compositionscontaining such initiators generally have a good open time (pot life)and simultaneously can be cured on demand.

The condensation of hydrolyzable substituents, such as alkoxy groups, inSTPs is catalyzed by bases, but also certain metals or metal complexes.

Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment (embodiment 6.1), the photolatentor thermally latent initiators are selected from the group consisting ofphotolatent bases and photolatent or thermally latent metal-basedinitiators.

Photolatent bases (PLBs) are compounds which, when photoactivated,undergo a significant pK_(a) jump. In inactivated form the photolatentbases are rather weak bases or even neutral compounds. Photoactivationconverts them into compounds with a significantly higher basicity.

Generally, the PLBs are precursors of strong nitrogen bases, such asamidines, guanidines, amines (generally secondary amines) or imidazoles.In these precursor compounds, one of the basic nitrogen atoms issubstituted by a photolytically cleavable group. This photolyticallycleavable group reduces the (Lewis) basicity to such an extent that theprecursor compound (i.e. the form in which the nitrogen base carries thephotolytically cleavable group) does not act as an initiator. Moreover,in the amidine and also in the guanidine precursor compounds, the C═Ndouble bond is present in reduced form, i.e. as a single bond, so thatthe PLB is a neutral compound and not an ammonium salt.

The photolytically cleavable group contains a moiety which is capable ofabsorbing radiation in the UV or visible light range, e.g. in the rangeof from 200 to 650 nm, and bring about photoelimination of thephotolytically cleavable group and thus formation of the active base.The photolytically cleavable group contains generally an aromatic orheteroaromatic ring or ring system which is bound to the nitrogen atomof the base via a (substituted) methylene bridge, a (substituted)methylene-CO-bridge or a (substituted) ethylene bridge. Alternativelythe photolytically cleavable group is a (substituted) allyl group. Thearomatic or heteroaromatic ring or ring system may be unsubstituted ormay carry one or more substituents. Suitable substituents are forexample C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl,C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, phenyland a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated, partially unsaturated ormaximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring comprising 1, 2 or 3 heteroatomsor heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, NO,SO and SO₂, as ring members, where phenyl or the heterocyclic ring is inturn optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected fromthe group consisting of C₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio,C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl andC₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl. Of course, in these groups, the heteroaromaticring or ring system as well as the 3- to 7-membered saturated, partiallyunsaturated or maximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring are selected insuch a way that their basicity is not such that they can act as aninitiator.

In a preferred embodiment (embodiment 6.1.1), the PLBs are selected fromcompounds B¹-Z¹, where B¹ and Z¹ are covalently bound, and where B¹ isderived from a strong base selected from the group consisting ofamidines, guanidines and secondary amines, and Z¹ is a photolyticallyremovable group.

In particular (embodiment 6.1.1.1), the PLBs are selected from the groupconsisting of compounds of formulae PLB.1 to PLB.7:

where

-   -   each R¹⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting of        C₁-C₅-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl,        C₁-C₆-alkylsulfonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl and        C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl;

R¹⁹ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₄-alkyl;and

s is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

Among these, preference is given (embodiment 6.1.1.1.a) to PLB.1, PLB.2,PLB.4, PLB.5, PLB.6 and PLB.7, more preference to (embodiment 6.1.1.1.b)PLB.1, PLB.2, PLB.6 and PLB.7, and in particular (embodiment 6.1.1.1.c)to PLB.1. In a particular embodiment of PLB.1 and PLB.2 (embodiment6.1.1.1.d), R¹⁸ is C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl, specifically methoxycarbonyl, sis 0 or 1 and R¹⁹ is hydrogen. In a specific embodiment, s is 1.Preferably, s is 1 and R¹⁸ is bound in para-position to CHR¹⁹. Inanother specific embodiment, s is 0.

It may be advantageous to use additionally a photosensitizer which easesthe photoactivation of the photolytically cleavable group. Suitablephotosensitizers are e.g. aromatic ketones, e.g. substituted andunsubstituted benzophenones, thioxanthones, anthraquinones or dyes, likeoxazines, acridines, phenazines and rhodamines.

Particularly suitable are substituted benzophenones and thioxanthones.Examples therefor are, in addition to benzophenone and thioxanthone assuch, 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone,4,4′-bis-(diethylamino)benzophenone,4,4′-bis(ethylmethylamino)benzophenone, 4,4′-diphenylbenzophenone,4,4′-diphenoxybenzophenone, 4,4′-bis(p-isopropylphenoxy)benzophenone,4-methylbenzophenone, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzophenone, 4-phenylbenzophenone, 2-methoxycarbonylbenzophenone,4-benzoyl-4′-methyldiphenylsulfide, 4-methoxy-3,3′-methylbenzophenone,isopropylthioxanthone, chlorothioxanthone,1-chloro-4-propoxythioxanthone, 2,4-dimethylthioxanthone,2,4-diethylthioxanthone and 1,3-dimethyl-2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)thioxanthoneas well as mixtures of the above compounds.

Further photosensitizers are for example 3-acylcoumarines, e.g.3-benzoylcoumarine, 3-benzoyl-7-methoxycoumarine,3-benzoyl-5,7-di(propoxy)coumarine, 3-benzoyl-6,8-dichlorcoumarine,3-benzoyl-6-chlorcoumarine, 3, 3′-carbonylbis[5,7-di(propoxy)coumarine],3,3′-carbonylbis(7-methoxycoumarine),3,3′-carbonylbis(7-diethylaminocoumarine), 3-isobutyroylcoumarine,3-benzoyl-5,7-d imethoxycoumarine, 3-benzoyl-5,7-diethoxycoumarine,3-benzoyl-5,7-d ibutoxycoumarine,3-benzoyl-5,7-di(methoxyethoxy)coumarine, 3-benzoyl-5,7-di(allyloxy)coumarine, 3-benzoyl-7-dimethylaminocoumarine,3-benzoyl-7-diethylaminocoumarine,3-isobutyroyl-7-dimethylaminocoumarine,5,7-dimethoxy-3-(1-naphthoyl)coumarine,5,7-dimethoxy-3-(1-naphthoyl)coumarine, 3-benzoylbenzo[f]coumarine,7-diethylamino-3-thienoylcoumarine, or3-(4-cyanobenzoyl)-5,7-dimethoxycoumarine; or3-(aroylmethylen)thiazolines, e.g.3-methyl-2-benzoylmethylennaphthothiazoline,3-methyl-2-benzoylmethylenbenzothiazoline, or3-methyl-2-propionylmethylen-p-naphthothiazoline; or other carbonylcompounds, e.g. acetophenone, 3-methoxyacetophenone,4-phenylacetophenone, 2-acetylnaphthaline, 2-naphthaldehyde,9,10-anthraquinone, 9-fluorenon, dibenzosuberone, xanthone,2,5-bis(4-diethylaminobenzylidene)cyclopentanone,2-(4-dimethylaminobenzylidene)indan-1-one or3-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-1-indan-S-yl-propenone,3-phenylthiophthalimide or N-methyl-3,5-di(ethylthio)phthalimide.

Preference is however given to the thioxanthones, especially to theabove substituted thioxanthones.

The photosensitizers are used in an amount of preferably from 0.1 to 3%by weight, in particular from 0.5 to 1.5% by weight, based on the weightof the PLB.

Metal-based photoinitiators are complexes of transition metals or ofmetals of the third or fourth main-group of the periodic tablecontaining at least one photolytically or thermally removable ligand. Ina preferred embodiment (embodiment 6.1.2), they are selected from thegroup consisting of titanium complexes containing at least onephotolytically or thermally removable ligand and aluminum complexescontaining at least one photolytically or thermally removable ligand.

Photolytically and/or thermally removable ligands are for exampleacetylacetonate and dervatives thereof, such as the anions ofC₆H₅C(O)CH₂C(O)C₆H₅ (dbaH) and of (CH₃)₃CC(O)CH₂C(O)CC(CH₃)₃; andcertain phenyl groups.

Specifically (embodiment 6.1.2.1)the titanium and aluminum complexes areselected from the group consisting of Ti(IV)(acac)₂(OiPr)₂,Ti(0)(phenyl)₂(2,6-difluoro-4-pyrrol-1-yl-phenyl)₂, and aluminumtris(acetylacetonate) (Al(acac)₃). acac is acetylacetonate; and iPr isisopropyl.

Photolatent or thermally latent initiators and methods for preparingthem are known.

In a specific embodiment, the stabilizer composition contains

-   -   (a) a compound of formula I.1 and additionally also at least one        compound of formula II.1 and/or at least one compound of formula        III.1;    -   (b) a compound of formula IV.1;    -   (c) a plasticizer which is        -   (c.1) a butylacrylate or            butylacrylate-2-hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer which is            liquid at 25° C. and has a weight-average molecular weight            of at most 30000, a glass transition temperature of at most            −40° C. and a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C.; in            particular a weight-average molecular weight of at most            25000, a glass transition temperature of at most −45° C. and            a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25° C.; more particularly            a weight-average molecular weight of at most 20000, a glass            transition temperature of at most −50° C. and a viscosity of            at most 150 Pa·s at 25° C.; specifically a weight-average            molecular weight of at most 10000, a glass transition            temperature of at most −60° C. and a viscosity of at most            100 Pa·s at 25° C.; more specifically a weight-average            molecular weight of at most 5000, a glass transition            temperature of at most −65° C. and a viscosity of at most 50            Pa·s at 25° C.; very specifically a weight-average molecular            weight of at most 2000, a glass transition temperature of at            most −65° C. and a viscosity of at most 10 Pa·s at 25° C.;            where specifically the butylacrylate or            butylacrylate-2-hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer contains 2 to            3% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of            acrylic acid in copolymerized form; or        -   (c.2) a C₄-C₂₀-alkyl esters of a cyclohexane dicarboxylic            acid, in particular a 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid            di-C₄-C₂₀-alkyl ester, more particularly a 1,2-cyclohexane            dicarboxylic acid di-C₄-C₁₂-alkyl ester, specifically            1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester (DINCH);    -   (d) optionally a triazine UV absorber of formula VI.1;    -   (e) optionally a photolatent base of formula PLB.1 or PLB.6;    -   (f) optionally a further additive; especially a filler.

Further additives (f) are described below.

Preferably, the stabilizer composition as well as the polymercomposition contains the at least one light stabilizer (a) and the atleast one antioxidant (b) in a weight ratio of from 20:1 to 1:20 morepreferably of from 10:1 to 1:10, even more preferably of from 6:1 to 1:6and in particular from 4:1 to 1:4; e.g. of from 4:1 to 1:2 or 4:1 to 1:1or 2:1 to 1:1 or 1:1.

Preferably, the stabilizer composition as well as the polymercomposition contains the at least one light stabilizer (a) and the atleast one plasticizer in a weight ratio of from 1:1 to 1:500 morepreferably of from 1:1 to 1:300, even more preferably of from 1:5 to1:300, in particular from 1:10 to 1:300, specifically from 1:10 to1:100, more specifically from 1:15 to 1:70, and very specifically forthe case that the plasticizer is a non-polymeric plasticizer containingcarboxylate groups, from1:15 to 1:25.

The stabilizer composition may contain one or more further additives (f)which are different from components (a) to (e). The further additives(f) are preferably selected among usual additives for stabilizercompositions:

(f.1) antioxidants different from the antioxidants (b) used according tothe invention (i.e. containing thioether groups);

(f.2) UV absorbers other than triazine UV absorbers

(f.3) rheology modifiers;

(f.4) desiccants

(f.5) flame retardants

(f.6) radical scavengers

(f.7) metal deactivators

(f.8) antiozonants

(f.9) peroxide decomposers/scavangers

(f.10) blowing agents

(f.11) antistatics

(f.12) adhesion promoters

(f.13) chelates

(f.14) fillers

(f.15) corrosion inhibitors

(f.16) pigments

(f.17) antifoams

(f.18) curing/crosslinking catalysts different from the above-describedphotolatent or thermally latent initiators (e)

(f.1) Antioxidants different from the antioxidants (b) used according tothe invention (i.e. containing thioether groups) are for examplephosphorus-containing antioxidants, e.g. Irgafos® 38, Irgafos® 168,Hostanox® P-EPQ or Weston ODPP; or hindered phenolic compounds, such asIrganox® 245, Irganox® 1010, Irganox® 1076, Irganox® 1098, Irganox®1135, Vulkanox® BHT etc.

(f.2) UV absorbers other than triazine UV absorbers are for example ofthe class of benzophenones, cyanoacrylates, formamidines, oxanilides orbenzotriazoles.

UV absorbers of the class of benzophenones are generallyhydroxybenzophenones. These include for example 2-hydroxybenzophenonessuch as 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, 2,4-dihydroxy-benzophenone, 2,2′,4,4′-tetrahydroxybenzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxy-benzophenone,2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-(2-ethyl-hexyloxy)benzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-(n-octyloxy)benzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxy-4′-methylbenzophenone,2-hydroxy-3-carboxybenzophenone,2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone-5-sulfonic acid and its sodium salt, and2,2′-dihydroxy-4,4′-dimethoxybenzophenone-5,5′-bissulfonic acid and itssodium salt.

UV absorbers of the class of cyanoacrylates are generallydiphenylcyanoacrylates. These include for example ethyl2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, obtainable commercially for example underthe name Uvinul® 3035 from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, 2-ethylhexyl2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate, obtainable commercially for example asUvinul® 3039 from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, and 1,3-bis[(2¹-cyano-3′,3′-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis{[2¹-cyano-3′,3′-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl}propane, obtainable commercially forexample under the name Uvinul® 3030 from BASF AG, Ludwigshafen.

Oxanilides are for example 4,4′-dioctyloxyoxanilide,2,2′-diethoxyoxanilide, 2,2′-dioctyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide,2,2′-didodecyloxy-5,5′-di-tert-butoxanilide, 2-ethoxy-2′-ethyloxanilide,N,N′-bis(3-dimethylaminopropyl)oxamide,2-ethoxy-5-tert-butyl-2′-ethoxanilide and its mixture with2-ethoxy-2′-ethyl-5,4′-di-tert-butoxanilide, and also mixtures ofortho-, para-methoxy-disubstituted oxanilides and mixtures of ortho- andpara-ethoxy-disubstituted oxanilides.

Benzotriazoles includes for example 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyI)-benzotriazolessuch as 2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(2′-hydroxy-5′-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,2-(3′-sec-butyl-5′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(2′-hydroxy-4′-octyloxyphenyl)benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-di-tert-amyl-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-benzotriazole, 2-(3′,5′-bis-(a,a-dimethylbenzyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyI)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)-5-chlorobenzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-octyloxycarbonylethyl)phenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-tert-butyl-5′-[2-(2-ethylhexyloxy)carbonylethyl]-2′-hydroxyphenyl)benzotriazole,2-(3′-dodecyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-methylphenyl)benzotriazole and2-(3′-tert-butyl-2′-hydroxy-5′-(2-isooctyloxy-carbonylethyl)phenylbenzotriazole,2,2′-methylenebis[4-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)-6-benzotriazol-2-ylphenol];the product of esterifying2-[3′-tert-butyl-5′-(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-2′-hydroxyphenyl]-2H-benzotriazolewith polyethylene glycol 300; [R—CH₂CH₂-COO(CH₂)_(3]2) where R=3′-tert-butyl-4′-hydroxy-5′-2H-benzotriazol-2-ylphenyl, and mixturesthereof.

(f.3) Rheology modifiers are for example thixotropic agents, likepolyamide waxes, hydrogenated castor oil derivatives, metal soaps (e.g.calcium, barium or aluminum stearate), fatty acid amides and swellablepolymers like PVC.

(f.4) Desiccants are for example silica, zeolithes, calcium sulfate,sodium sulfate and various silanes, such as vinylsilanes (e.g.vinyltrimethoxysilane), oxime silanes, benzamidosilanes,carbamatosilanes and alkoxysilanes.

(f.5) Flame retardants are for example halogen containing compounds suchas tetrabromobisphenol A, decabromodiphenyl oxide, decabromodiphenylethane, brominated carbonate oligomers, brominated epoxy oligomers, andpoly(bromostyrenes). Further examples are the hydroxides, oxides andoxide hydrates of group 2, 4, 12, 13, 14 and 15 (semi)metals, such asmagnesium oxide or hydroxide, aluminium oxide, aluminum trihydrate,silica, tin oxide, antimony oxide (Ill and V) and oxide hydrate,titanium oxide and zinc oxide or oxide hydrate; nitrogen-based flameretardants, such as melamine and urea based resins and melaminecyanurate, melamine phosphates, melamine polyphosphates and melamineborate; and phosphorous-based flame retardants, such as ammoniumpolyphosphates, phosphoric esters, in particular triarylphosphates, suchas triphenyl phosphate, tribenzyl phosphate, tricresyl phosphate,tri-(dimethylphenyl) phosphate, benzyl dimethylphosphate,di-(dimethylphenyl) phenyl phosphate, resorcinol-bis(diphenylphosphate), recorcinol-bis-[di-(2,6-dimethylphenyl)-phosphate] (PX-200),aluminum diethylphosphinate (Exolit® OP 1230), but also aliphaticphosphates, such as tris(2-chloroisopropyl)phosphate (Lupragen® TCPP),aromatic polyphosphates, e.g. polyphosphates derived from bisphenols,such as the compounds described in US 2004/0249022), and phosphonicesters, such as dimethyl-methyl phosphonate and phosphonic acid(2-((hydroxymethyl)carbamyl)ethyl) dimethylester, and polycyclicphosphorous-containing compounds, such as9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide (DOPO).

(f.6) Radical scavengers are for example nitroxyl compounds, such as2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyloxyl (TEMPO) and derivatives thereof orhydroxylamines, such as NRR′OH, where R and R′, independently of eachother, are long-chain alkyl groups, e.g. alkyl groups with 4 to 20carbon atoms; aryl amines, e.g. diphenyl amines in which at least one ofthe phenyl rings carries a C₁-C₁₀-alkyl group; or quinone compounds.

(f.7) Metal deactivators are, for example, salicylic acid derivativessuch as N,N′-disalicylidene-1,2-propanediamine,N-salicylal-N′-salicyloyl hydrazine, N,N′-bis(salicyloyl)hydrazine,3-salicyloylamino-1,2,4-triazole, N,N′-bis(salicyl- oyl)oxalyldihydrazide, or N,N′-bis(salicyloyl)thiopropionyl dihydrazide; hydrazinederivatives, such asN,N-bis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylpropionyl)hydrazine,bis(benzylidene)oxalyl dihydrazide, isophthaloyl dihydrazide, sebacoylbisphenylhydrazide, or N,N′-diacetyladipoyl dihydrazide, furtherN,N′-diphenyloxamide or oxanilide, and moreover benzotriazoles ortolutriazoles, as commercialized under the Irgamet® brand of BASF.

(f.8) Antiozonants are added in order to slow the deterioration of thefinished product caused by exposure to ozone. Examples arep-phenylenediamines such as 6PPP(N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine) or IPPD(N-isopropyl-N′-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine);6-ethoxy-2,2,4-trimethyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (ETMQ), ethylene diurea(EDU), nickel dibutyl dithiocarbamate or paraffin waxes, such asAkrowax® 195.

(f.9) Peroxide deactivators (decomposers/scavangers) are for exampleesters of 8-thiodipropionic acid, for example, the lauryl, stearyl,myristyl or tridecyl ester, mercaptobenzimidazole or the zinc salt of2-mercaptobenzimidazole, zinc dibutyldithiocarbamate, dioctadecyldisulfide, and pentaerythritol tetrakis(8-dodecylmercapto)propionate.

(f.10) Suitable blowing agents are chemical blowing agents, which arecompounds which decompose at elevated temperature to release gas.Examples are chlorinated paraffin waxes, carbamoyliminourea or[(4-methylphenyl)sulfonylamino]urea.

(f.11) Antistatics are used for reducing or eliminating buildup ofstatic electricity. The antistatic agent makes the surface or thematerial itself slightly conductive, either by being conductive itself,or by absorbing moisture from the air; therefore, some humectants aresuitable. The molecules of an antistatic agent often have bothhydrophilic and hydrophobic areas. Examples are long-chain aliphaticamines (optionally ethoxylated) and amides, quaternary ammonium salts(e.g., behentrimonium chloride or cocamidopropyl betaine), esters ofphosphoric acid, polyethylene glycol esters, or polyols; further carbonblack, conductive fibers, or nanomaterials; ionic liquids or a solutionof a salt in an ionic liquid; moreover indium tin oxide.

(f.12) An adhesion promoter is understood to be a substance whichimproves the adhesion properties (tack or stickiness) of adhesive layerson surfaces; such compounds are also known as tackifiers. Usually theyare low-molecular weight compounds with high glass transitiontemperature. Examples for adhesion promotors useful in sealantcompositions are silane adhesion promoters, in particular aminosilanes,e.g. 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, and also polyethyleneimines,especially polyethyleneimines with a weight average molecular weight ofat most 10000, in particular at most 5000. Examples for adhesionpromotors useful in adehesive compositions are resins, terpeneoligomers, coumarone/indene resins, aliphatic, petrochemical resins andmodified phenolic resins. Suitable within the framework of the presentinvention are, for example, hydrocarbon resins, as obtained bypolymerization of terpenes, principally a- or 8-pinene, dipentene orlimonene. The polymerization of these monomers generally takes placecationically with initiation by Friedel-Crafts catalysts. The terpeneresins also include copolymers of terpenes and other monomers, e.g.styrene, a-methylstyrene, isoprene and the like. The above resins areused e.g. as adhesion promoters for pressure-sensitive adhesives andcoating materials. Also suitable are the terpene-phenolic resins whichare produced by acid-catalyzed addition of phenols to terpenes or rosin.Further, rosins and derivatives thereof, for example their esters oralcohols, are suitable as adhesion promoters in the above sense. Silaneadhesion promoters, in particular aminosilanes, e.g.3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, are also suitable; as well aspolyethyleneimines, especially polyethyleneimines with a weight averagemolecular weight of at most 10000, in particular at most 5000.

(f.13) Chelates serve for binding metals which may otherwise influencethe properties of the composition of the invention in an unintentionalway at an inappropriate time. Examples are acetylacetone (acac),ethylenediamine (en), 2-(2-aminoethylamino)ethanol (AEEA),diethylenetriamine (dien), iminodiacetate (ida), triethylenetetramine(trien, TETA), triaminotriethylamine (tren), nitrilotriacetate (nta),bis(salicyliden)ethylenediamine (salen), ethylenediaminotriacetate(ted), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA),diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA),1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate (DOTA), oxalate(ox), tartrate (tart), citrate (cit), dimethylglyoxim (dmg),8-hydroxyquinoline (oxin), 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy), 1,10-phenanthroline(phen), dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) or1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dppe).

(f.14) Fillers are for example inorganic fillers like calcium carbonate,e.g. in the form of chalk or lime dust; talc, clay, sand, quartz, flint,mica, glass powder and other ground mineral substances, ceramicmicrospheres, precipitated or pyrogenic silica, zeolithes, bentonites,kaolin, kieselguhr, metal oxides like titanium, iron or zinc oxide;mixed oxides of silicium and aluminum; barium sulfate, silicium nitride,silicium carbide, boron nitride, carbon black; or organic fillers likegraphite powder, wood flour, sawdust, ground walnut shells and otherchopped fibers like cellulose or cotton fibers.

(f.15) Corrosion inhibitors are for example the alkali metal or(substituted) ammonium salts or polycarboxylic acid, such as the saltsof sebacic acid or tris(carboxyalkylamino)-1,3,5-triazines; orN-acylsarcosines. These compounds are commercialized under the Irgacor®brand of BASF.

(f.16) Pigments are for example titanium dioxide, iron oxides or carbonblack.

(f.17) Antifoams or antifoaming agents of defoamers are intended to stopor suppress foaming during processing. Typically silicones, such asdimethylsilicones, are used.

(f.18) Curing/crosslinking catalysts different from the above-describedphotolatent or thermally latent initiators are for example tin-basedcatalysts, such as dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL), dibutyltin dioctoate ordibutyltin diacetylacetonate, or organozinc compounds.

Among the above components (f), preference is given to the fillers(f.14). The fillers are preferably colorless. Preference is given tocalcium carbonate, talc, quartz, mica, glass powder and other groundmineral substances, ceramic microspheres, precipitated or pyrogenicsilica, zeolithes, bentonites, kaolin, kieselguhr and titanium oxide.Specifically, calcium carbonate is used.

In a particular embodiment, the stabilizer composition of the inventionis characterized by not containing any curing/crosslinking catalystbased on tin (e.g. the above-mentioned, usually present dibutyltindilaurate (DBTL) or dibutyltin dioctoate or dibutyltindiacetylacetonate) and more particularly by not containing anymetal-based curing/crosslinking catalyst.

In a preferred embodiment the stabilizer composition contains followingcomponents in following ratios:

-   -   (a) at least one light stabilizer selected from sterically        hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries a        basicity-reducing substituent: 0.1 to 10% by weight;    -   (b) at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioether        groups: 0.1 to 10% by weight;    -   (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and which        is selected from plasticizers containing carboxylate groups: 10        to 99.8% by weight;    -   (d) at least one UV absorber, in particular at least one        triazine UV absorber: 0 to 10% by weight;    -   (e) at least one photolatent or thermally latent initiator: 0 to        5% by weight;    -   (f) at least one further additive: 0 to 89.8% by weight.

The percentages by weight are based on the total weight of thestabilizer composition. The weights from (a) to (f) add up to 100% byweight.

Preferably, the stabilizer composition is liquid at 25° C. and 1013 mbarand contains at most 5% by weight, in particular at most 2% by weight,based on the total weight of the composition, of solvents.

In analogy to what has been said above, “liquid at 25° C. and 1013 mbar”in the terms of the present invention means that the stabilizercomposition has a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. and 1013 mbar,as measured with a CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield), cone 4, accordingto DIN EN ISO 3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹. In particular,the stabilizer composition has a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25°C., in particular a viscosity of at most 150 Pa·s at 25° C., moreparticularly a viscosity of at most 100 Pa·s at 25° C., even moreparticularly a viscosity of at most 50 Pa·s at 25° C., specifically aviscosity of at most 10 Pa·s at 25° C., and very specifically aviscosity of at most 1 Pa·s at 25° C. The viscosities relate to valuesas obtained with the method described above.

“Solvent” is a liquid substance that dissolves a solute (a chemicallydifferent liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. In terms ofthe present invention, the solvent is not restricted to a compound ormedium which dissolves the solutes in the proper sense: This compound ormedium may be more generally a dispersing medium, and thus the“solution” might be a suspension, emulsion or a solution in the propersense (i.e. a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances,where the particles of the solute cannot be seen by naked eye and whichdoes not scatter light). As used above, the term “solvent” does notinclude any of components (a) to (e), even if these are liquid and mayprincipally act as a solvent for one or more of the other components. Asused above, this term includes only liquid substances which aredifferent from components (a) to (e) and are able to dissolve a solute.

The stabilizer composition is prepared by principally known methods,such as intimately mixing the components, either simultaneously orconsecutively, in suitable dispersing units, such as mixers, inparticular high-speed mixers, planetary mixers, internal mixers,compounders, twin-screw-extruders etc.

Polymer Composition

The present invention further relates to a polymer compositioncomprising

(i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer; and

(ii) a stabilizer composition as defined above.

In other words, the polymer composition comprises

-   -   (i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer;    -   (ii) (a) at least one light stabilizer selected from sterically        hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries a        basicity-reducing substituent;        -   (b) at least one antioxidant containing one or more            thioether groups; and        -   (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and            which is selected from plasticizers containing carboxylate            groups.

The polymer composition may moreover further comprise one or more of theabove components (d) to (f).

The above general definitions and description of preferred embodimentsof components (a) to (f) apply here, too.

Silyl-Terminated Polymers

Silyl-terminated polymers (STPs) are polymers, generally with an organicbackbone, which contain silyl groups at the termini (chain ends) of thepolymers. Generally, at least one of the substituents on the siliciumatom is a hydrolysable group, especially an alkoxy group. In thepresence of atmospheric moisture such alkoxysilyl-terminated polymersare capable of undergoing hydrolyzation/condensation reactions with eachother, which results in a curing or crosslinking of the polymers. Thepolymer backbone of the STPs is generally a polyether, polyester,polyamide, polyimine, polyurethane, poly(meth)acrylate, polyvinylester,polyolefin or mixed forms thereof.

STPs and methods for producing them are generally known and are intera/ia described in US 2012/0238695, DE-A-102011003425, DE-A-102004018548and the references cited therein.

Preference is given to STPs with a weight-average molecular weight M_(w)of from 350 to 30000, more preferably from 500 to 25000, even morepreferably from 1000 to 22000, in particular from 5000 to 20000,specifically from 7000 to 19000.

The number-average and weight-average molecular weights of STPs are asdetermined by the above described GPC/SEC method using polystyrenestandards.

In a preferred embodiment, the silyl-terminated polymer is a polymer offormula VI:

[(R′)_(a)(R″O)_(3-a)Si-L¹-Y]_(b)-Po   (VI)

where

Po is the di-, tri- or tetravalent radical of a base polymer;

-   -   each Y is independently selected from the group consisting of a        bond, —NH—C(═O)—O—, —O—C(═O)—NH—, —C(═O)—NH-L²-NH—C(═O)—NH—,        —NH—C(═O)—NH-L²-NH—C(═O)—, —O—C(═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, —NH—C(═O)—S—,        —S—C(═O)—NH— and —O—;    -   R′ and R″, independently of each other and independently of each        occurrence, are selected from C₁-C₆-alkyl;

L¹ is C₁-C₄-alkylene

L² is a divalent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical;

each a is independently 0 or 1; and

b is 2, 3 or 4.

If Po ends in an oxygen atom, this is not directly bound to an oxygenatom of Y. In this case, the oxygen atom of Y is to be understood to beomitted. If for instance the terminal group of Po is an oxygen atom andY is —O—C(═O)—NH—, the group Y bound to this oxygen atom of Po is to beunderstood in this case to be —C(═O)—NH-, so that Po-Y is in the case insum Po-O—C(═O)—NH—,

In a preferred embodiment, Po is the di-, tri- or tetravalent radical ofa polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethers, polyesters,polyamides, polyimines, polyurethanes, poly(meth)acrylates,polyvinylesters, polyolefins and mixed forms thereof.

Polyether polymers from which Po is derived are preferably composed ofrepeating units

[-A-O—]

where each A is independently —CH₂—CH₂—, —CH₂—CH(CH₃)—, —CH(CH₃)—CH₂—,or —(CH₂)₄—; i.e. they are derived from polyethyleneglycol,polypropyleneglycol, poly-tetrahydrofuran and mixed forms (copolymers)thereof.

Polyesters from which Po is derived are preferably composed of repeatingunits

[—B¹—C(═O)—O—] or[—C(═O)—B¹—C(═O)—O—B²—O—]

where B¹ and B², independently of each other, are a divalent aliphatic,alicyclic, aliphatic-alicyclic, aromatic or araliphatic radical.

Polyamides from which Po is derived are preferably composed of repeatingunits

[B¹—C(═O)—N(R)—] or [—C(═O)—B¹—C(O)—N(R)—B²—N(R)—]

where B¹ and B², independently of each other, are a divalent aliphatic,alicyclic, aliphatic-alicyclic, aromatic or araliphatic radical and R isH or C₁-C₄-alkyl or is a branching point and stands for example for[B¹—C(═O)—N(R)] or [C(═O)—B¹—C(O)—N(R)—B²—N(R)] or[B²—N(R)—C(═O)—B¹—C(O)—].

Polyimine polymers from which Po is derived are preferably composed ofrepeating units [A-N(R)—], where each A is independently a divalentaliphatic, alicyclic, aliphatic-alicyclic, aromatic or araliphaticradical and R is H or C₁-C₄-alkyl or is a branching point and stands forexample for [A-N(R)—].

Polyurethanes from which Po is derived are preferably composed ofrepeating units

[—B¹—O—C(═O)—N(R)—B²—N(R)—C(═O)—O—]

where B¹ and B², independently of each other, are a divalent aliphatic,alicyclic, aliphatic-alicyclic, aromatic or araliphatic radical and R isH or C₁-C₄-alkyl or is a branching point.

Poly(meth)acrylates from which Po is derived are preferably composed ofrepeating units

[—CH₂—C(R)(C(O)OR′—]

where R is H (polyacrylates) or methyl (methacrylates) and R′ isC₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry various substituents, such as OH,C₁-C₄-alkoxy, amino, C₁-C₄-alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄)-alkylamino, CN,trimethylsilyl etc.

Polyvinylesters from which Po is derived are preferably composed ofrepeating units

[CH₂—CH(OR)—]

where R is C₁-C₁₂-alkyl.

Polyolefins from which Po is derived are preferably polymers ofa-olefins and are preferably composed of repeating units

[—CH₂—CH(R)—]

where R is H C₁-C₁₂-alkyl.

In particular, Po is the divalent radical (i.e. b is 2) of a polyether.The polyether is in particular a polyethylene glycol or polypropyleneglycol, and is specifically polypropylene glycol.

In a particular embodiment, in polymer VI

Y is —NH—C(═O)—O— (where NH is bound to L¹);

-   -   R′ and R″, independently of each other and independently of each        occurrence, are selected from the group consisting of methyl and        ethyl and are in particular methyl; and

each L¹ is independently —CH₂— or C₃-alkylene, in particular —CH₂— or—CH₂CH₂CH₂—.

In a specific embodiment, polymer VI is a polymer of formula VI.1

(CH₃₀)₂(CH₃)Si—CH₂—NH—C(═O)—O—[CH(CH₃)—CH₂—O—]—C(═O)—NH—CH₂—Si(CH₃)(OCH₃)₂  (VI.1)

where u is from 1 to 500, preferably 10 to 400, more preferably 50 to300, in particular from 100 to 250, specifically from 100 to 200, veryspecifically from 120 to 180.

In another specific embodiment, polymer VI is a polymer of formula VI.2

(CH₃O)₃Si—(CH₂)₃—NH—C(═O)—O—[CH(CH₃)—CH₂—O—]_(u)—C(═O)—NH—(CH₂)₃—Si(OCH₃)₃  (VI.2)

where u is from 1 to 500, preferably 10 to 400, more preferably 50 to400, in particular from 100 to 350, specifically from 200 to 350, veryspecifically from 200 to 310.

Such STPs are known and sold, for example under the Geniosil® brandsfrom Wacker (e.g. Geniosil® STP-E 10 or Geniosil® STP-E 35)

Preferably, the polymer composition contains the at least one lightstabilizer (a) and the at least one silyl-terminated polymer (i) in aweight ratio of from 1:10 to 1:1000, more preferably of from 1:20 to1:500, even more preferably of from 1:50 to 1:400, in particular from1:50 to 1:300, specifically from 1:70 to 1:200.

In a preferred embodiment the polymer composition contains followingcomponents in following ratios:

-   -   (i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer: 10 to 94.9% by        weight;    -   (a) at least one light stabilizer selected from sterically        hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries a        basicity-reducing substituent: 0.05 to 10% by weight;    -   (b) at least one antioxidant containing one or more thioether        groups: 0.05 to 10% by weight;    -   (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and which        is selected from plasticizers containing carboxylate groups: 5        to 89.9% by weight;    -   (d) at least one UV absorber, in particular at least one        triazine UV absorber: 0 to 10% by weight;    -   (e) at least one photolatent or thermally latent initiator: 0 to        5% by weight;    -   (f) at least one further additive: 0 to 84.9% by weight.

The percentages by weight are based on the total weight of the polymercomposition. The weights of (i) and (a) to (f) add up to 100% by weight.

Preferably, the polymer composition is liquid at 25° C. and 1013 mbarand contains at most 5% by weight, in particular at most 2% by weight,based on the total weight of the composition, of solvents. This allowsapplying the polymer composition in very convenient ways, for exampleeven by spray application, without the necessity of heating and withoutthe necessity to remove solvents. A further advantage is that thepolymer composition, contrary to hot melt adhesive compositions, can beapplied to thermally sensitive substrates. Moreover, the composition canbe applied to substrates sensitive to solvents, especially organicsolvents.

In analogy to what has been said above, “liquid at 25° C. and 1013 mbar”in the terms of the present invention means that the polymer compositionhas a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C. and 1013 mbar, as measuredwith a CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield), cone 4, according to DIN ENISO 3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹. In particular, thestabilizer composition has a viscosity of at most 200 Pa·s at 25° C., inparticular a viscosity of at most 150 Pa·s at 25° C., more particularlya viscosity of at most 100 Pa·s at 25° C., even more particularly aviscosity of at most 50 Pa·s at 25° C., specifically a viscosity of atmost 10 Pa·s at 25° C., and very specifically a viscosity of at most 1Pa·s at 25° C. The viscosities relate to values as obtained with themethod described above.

“Solvent” is a liquid substance that dissolves a solute (a chemicallydifferent liquid, solid or gas), resulting in a solution. In terms ofthe present invention, the solvent is not restricted to a compound ormedium which dissolves the solutes in the proper sense: This compound ormedium may be more generally a dispersing medium, and thus the“solution” might be a suspension, emulsion or a solution in the propersense (i.e. a homogeneous mixture composed of two or more substances,where the particles of the solute cannot be seen by naked eye and whichdoes not scatter light). As used above, the term “solvent” does notinclude any of components (i) and (a) to (e), even if these are liquidand may principally act as a solvent for one or more of the othercomponents. As used above, this term includes only liquid substanceswhich are different from components (i) and (a) to (e) and are able todissolve a solute.

In a particular embodiment, the polymer composition of the invention ischaracterized by not containing any curing/crosslinking catalyst basedon tin (e.g. the usually present dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTL) ordibutyltin dioctoate or dibutyltin diacetylacetonate) and moreparticularly by not containing any metal-based curing/crosslinkingcatalyst.

The polymer composition is prepared by principally known methods, suchas intimately mixing the components, either simultaneously orconsecutively, in suitable dispersing units, such as mixers, inparticular high-speed mixers, planetary mixers, internal mixers,compounders, twin-screw-extruders etc.

The invention further relates to the use of the stabilizer compositionof the invention for stabilizing a silyl-terminated polymer or asealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filler or coating composition,especially a sealant composition, adhesive composition, gasketcomposition, knifing filler composition or coating compositioncontaining a silyl-terminated polymer, against degradation by heat,light and/or oxygen.

The invention also relates to the use of the polymer composition of theinvention as or in a sealant composition, adhesive composition, gasketcomposition, knifing filler composition or coating composition.

The invention also relates to a sealant composition or an adhesivecomposition, or a gasket composition, or a knifing filler composition ora coating composition comprising the polymer composition of theinvention.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for stabilizing asilyl-terminated polymer or a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifing filleror coating composition, especially a sealant, adhesive, gasket, knifingfiller or coating composition containing a silyl-terminated polymer,against degradation by heat, light and/or oxygen.

Adhesive and sealant are partly overlapping terms.

Sealants are substances used to block the passage of fluids through thesurface or joints or openings in materials. They have to show adhesionto the substrates which they are to seal, but more importantly they haveto have a strong cohesion. Cohesion is the property of a substance tostick together, i.e. its inner force.

Adhesives are substances that bind together substrates and resist theirseparation. Adhesive interactions are here of more importance thancohesive forces, although without cohesion an adhesive can not work,either.

Some applications for the sealant and adhesive compositions of thepresent invention are for example deck bonding and sealing, port holessealing, cables sealing, glazing, windows sealing, bathroomwater-barrier sealing and adhesing or sealing of flooring, especially ofparquet.

The stabilizer composition of the invention effectively stabilizescurable compositions, and especially provides a good long-termtemperature and/or UV and/or oxidation stability after curing, and atthe same time avoids negative interactions of the components. Moreover,due to the specific plasticizer, the exudation of components of thestabilizer composition from cured polymers, especially of components (b)from cured STPs, is avoided.

The invention is now illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

Materials Used:

Geniosil ® a trimethoxysilylpropylcarbamate-terminated STP-E 35:polyether polymer from Wacker Geniosil ® adimethoxy(methyl)silylmethylcarbamate-terminated STP-E 10: polyetherpolymer from Wacker Tinuvin ® 123 a HALS amine; compound of formulaII.1; from BASF SE Tinuvin ® 249 a HALS amine; compound of formula I.1;from BASF SE Tinuvin ® 292 a HALS amine in which the nitrogen atom ofthe piperidine ring carries a methyl group; not according to lightstabilizers (a) of the invention; from BASF SE Irganox ® 1520 anantioxidant (4,6-bis(octylthiomethyl)-o-cresol; compound of formula IV.1with R¹⁶ = octyl); from BASF SE Irganox ® 1135 phenolic antioxidantwithout thioether groups; not according to antioxidants (b) of theinvention; from BASF SE Joncryl ® 1200 polybutylacrylate; plasticizeraccording to component (c) of the invention containing 2 to 3% byweight, based on the total weight of the polymer, of acrylic acid incopolymerized form; from BASF SE Joncryl ® 963 polybutylacrylatecopolymer containing 2 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of thepolymer, of acrylic acid in copolymerized form; plasticizer according tocomponent (c) of the invention; from BASF SE Hexamoll ® 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester; DINCH plasticizer according tocomponent (c) of the invention; from BASF SE Loxanol ® PLpolypropyleneglycol alkylphenylether, CAS no. 5060 9064-13-5;plasticizer; not according to component (c) of the invention Efka ® RMhydrogenated castor oil; rheology modifier 1920 (thickener) from BASF SEPLB1 photolatent base of formula PLB.1 (s = 1, R¹⁸ = methoxycarbonylbound in para-position, R¹⁹ = H) yielding DBN(1,5-diazabicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-ene) upon activation Irgacure ® 369photolatent base; 2-benzyl-2-dimethylamino-1-(4-morpholino-phenyl)-butanone-1; compound of formula PLB.6; from BASF DBU1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene; catalyst DBTL dibutyltindilaurate;catalyst CaCO₃ applied as Omyacarb ® 2GU Powder from Omya; used asfiller

Compositions

The compositions were prepared by intimately mixing the components witha Speed Mixer DAC 400 FVZ from Hauschild Engineering, Germany, in therelative amounts given in the following tables. The amounts are given inparts by weight.

Test Methods

Color was evaluated by Gardner color number index according to ASTMD-6166. Higher numbers mean higher color, i.e. higher oxidation.

Where a more precise differentiation than possible with determination ofthe Gardner color number index according to ASTM D-6166 was desired, themeasurement was performed with a Byk Spectro Guide (CIE Lab Colorsystem).

The viscosities were measured using a CAP 2000+ Viscometer (Brookfield)according DIN EN ISO 3219, annex B at a shear rate of 100 s⁻¹.

Mechanical strength data were taken according to DIN EN 1465 with atensile strength tester from Zwick Roell/Z010.

UV-aging was measured in a Suntester (Atlas instruments) with awavelength of 300 to 400 nm.

The UV cure experiments were carried out in an UV Tunnel (typeM-40-2×1-TR-CMK-SLC with two lamps of the type M 400 U2L/LA (UV range offrom 180 to 450 nm) from 1ST METZ GmbH, Germany

The UV dose from repeated exposures were measured with a UV Power -Puck®II from EIT Instrument Markets, EIT Inc.

Shore A Hardness was determined according to DIN 53505 using a shorescale A durometer.

Thermal aging was conducted in a ventilated oven (Heraeus® Thermicon P)

Tests

1.) Mechanical Tests and Gardner Color Test

a) Use of Joncryl® 1200 as plasticizer

Components Null 1 Null 2 Cmp. 1 Cmp. 2 Cmp. 3 Inv. Geniosil ® 35 35 3535 35 35 STP-E 35 Joncryl ® 1200 0 10 10 10 10 10 CaCO₃ 45 45 45 45 4545 Tinuvin ® 249 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 Tinuvin ® 292 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 Irganox ®1135 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 Irganox ® 1520L 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 DBTL 0.05 0.05 0.050.05 0.05 0.05 Elongation at 243.12 223.92 151.71 176.12 192.77 145.13break % before aging Elongation at n.d. n.d. 415.81 351.97 322.68 122.69break % after 5 d at 130° C. F (max) N/mm 1.14 1.25 1.17 1.22 1.23 1.16before aging F (max) after 5 d n.d. n.d. 0.83 0.68 1.04 1.1 at 130° C.Color b* before 3.35 3.21 3.2 3.36 3.17 3.24 aging Color b* after 5 dn.d. n.d. 9.43 7.65 7.04 6.51 at 130° C. Appearance after cracks crackssolid, edge solid, solid, 5 d at 130° C. smooth liquid smooth smoothNull 1 = test without additives and without plasticizer Null 2 = testwithout additives Cmp. 1, 2, 3 = comparative examples Inv. = exampleaccording to the invention *Color b is the b value of a colorimetricmeasurement performed with a Byk Spectro Guide (CIE Lab Color system)Cracks: the films were actually completely decomposed. Furthermeasurements were not possible.

b) Use of Hexamoll® DINCH as plasticizer

Components Null 1 Null 2 Cmp. 1 Cmp. 2 Cmp. 3 Inv. Geniosil ® 35 35 3535 35 35 STP-E 35 Hexamoll ® 0 10 10 10 10 10 DINCH CaCO₃ 45 45 45 45 4545 Tinuvin ® 249 0 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 Tinuvin ® 292 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 0 Irganox ®1135 0 0 0.5 0.5 0 0 Irganox ® 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 1520L DBTL 0.05 0.05 0.050.05 0.05 0.05 Elongation at 243.12 223.92 147.93 145.77 223.17 153.59break % before aging Elongation at n.d. n.d. 288.25 241.12 n.d.* 137.39break % after 5 d at 130° C. F (max) N/mm 1.14 1.25 1.34 1.31 1.34 1.33before aging F (max) after 5 n.d. n.d. 1.1 0.91 0.82 1.32 d at 130° C.Color b* before 3.35 3.21 3.16 3.25 3.24 3.18 aging Color b* after n.d.n.d. 8.8 8.36 7.76 6.63 5 d at 130° C. Appearance cracks cracks solid,edge solid, solid, after 5 d at smooth liquid smooth smooth 130° C. Null1 = test without additives and without plasticizer Null 2 = test withoutadditives Cmp. 1, 2, 3 = comparative examples Inv. = example accordingto the invention *Color b is the b value of a colorimetric measurementperformed with a Byk Spectro Guide (CIE Lab Color system) Cracks: thefilms were actually completely decomposed. Further measurements were notpossible, therefore n.d. (not determined). n.d.*: experiment could notbe evaluated because paper stuck to the film.

c) Use of combination of HALS amines

Components Null Cmp. Inv. Geniosil ® STP-E 35 35 35 35 Joncryl ® 1200 1010 10 CaCO₃ 45 45 45 Tinuvin ® 123 0.2 0.2 Tinuvin ® 249 — 0.3 0.3Tinuvin ® 292 — — — Irganox ® 1135 — 0.5 — Irganox ® 1520L — — 0.5 DBTL0.05 0.05 0.05 Appearance after 1 day at 130° C. aging liq. sol. sol.Gardner color after 1 day at 130° C. 9 n.a. 1 F (max) N/mm before agingn.a. 1.51 1.38 F (max) N/mm after 5 days at 130° C. aging n.a. 0.9 1.3Retained mechanical stability after 5 days at n.a. 60% 94% 130° C. agingNull = test without additives Cmp. = comparative example Inv. = exampleaccording to the invention liq. = liquid sol. = solid

2.) Experiments for Photo-Initiation of Formulated STP-Systems.

Components Null Cmp. Inv. Cmp. Inv. Cmp. Geniosil ® STP-E35 100 100 100100 100 100 Joncryl ® 963 — — 25 — 25 — Efka ® RM 1920 6.0 6.0 2.0 2.02.0 2.0 PLB 1 — — — 0.1 0.1 — Irgacure ® 369 — 1.0 1.0 — — — Irganox ®1520L — — 0.5 — 0.5 — Tinuvin ® 249 — — 0.5 — 0.5 — DBU — — — — — 1.0Hardening dark n.c. n.c. n.c. n.c. n.c. 1 h light exposure n.c. 176 h176 h 76 h 76 h 1 h with 4726 mJ/cm² Null = test without additives Cmp.= comparative example Inv. = example according to the invention n.c. =not cured

3.) Thermic Stabilization of STPs

Components Null Cmp. Inv. Cmp. Cmp. Geniosil ® STP-E 35 45 45 45 45 45Joncryl ® 1200 10 10 10 10 10 CaCO₃ 45 45 45 45 45 Tinuvin ® 249 0 0.50.5 0 0 Tinuvin ® 292 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 Irganox ® 1135 0 0.5 0 0.5 0Irganox ® 1520 0 0 0.5 0 0.5 DBTL 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 Shore A hardnessbefore aging 43 43 42 41 42 Thermal aging 5 d at 130° C. Shore Ahardness after aging 3 5 27 7 18 Shore A hardness delta [%] 93% 88% 36%83% 57% Gardner color after aging 6 3 2 3 3 Appearance after agingcracks solid, solid, solid, solid, smooth smooth smooth smooth Null =test without additives Cmp. = comparative example Inv. = exampleaccording to the invention

4) Gardner Color Test with Different Plasticizers

Components Inv. 1 Inv. 2 Inv. 3 Comp. Tinuvin ® 123 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2Tinuvin ® 249 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 Tinuvin ® 292 0 0 0 0 Irganox ® 1135 0 0 00 Irganox ® 1520L 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 Joncryl ® 1200 10 0 0 0 Joncryl ® 9630 10 0 0 Hexamoll ® DINCH 0 0 10 0 Loxanol ® PL 5060 0 0 0 10 GardnerColor after 5 d at 2 2 2 3 130° C. Inv. = example according to theinvention Cmp. = comparative example

1. A stabilizer composition comprising: (a) at least one lightstabilizer selected from sterically hindered amines (HALS) in which theamino group carries a basicity-reducing substituent; (b) at least oneantioxidant comprising one or more thioether groups; (c) at least oneplasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and which is selected fromplasticizers comprising carboxylate groups; (d) optionally at least oneUV absorber; and (e) optionally at least one photolatent or thermallylatent initiator, wherein the sterically hindered amine is selected fromthe group consisting of compounds of formula I

wherein R¹ is a group -A-C(═X)—R⁵ or a group —OR⁶; R^(2a), R^(2b),R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other, are C₁-C₃-alkyl; R⁴ isselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which maycarry one or more substituents R⁷; —OR⁸, —S(O)_(m)R⁹, —NR^(10a)R^(10b),—C(═O)R¹¹ and —C(═S)R¹¹; R⁵ is selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R⁷; —OR⁸, and—NR^(10a)R^(10b), R⁶ is selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R⁷; and—C(═O)—C₁-C₈-alkyl, where the alkyl moiety may carry one or moresubstituents R⁷; each R⁷ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of —Si(R¹²)₃, —OR⁸, —OSC₂R⁸, —S(O)_(m)R⁹, —N(R^(10a))R^(10b),—C(═O)N(R^(10a))R^(10b), —C(═S)N(R^(10a))R^(10b), —C(═O)OR⁸, —CH═NOR⁸,C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with one or more substituentsR¹³, phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 substituentsR¹³, and a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-membered saturated, partially unsaturatedor maximally unsaturated heterocyclic ring comprising 1, 2 or 3heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected from the group consisting ofN, O, S, NO, SO and SO₂, as ring members, where the heterocyclic ring isoptionally substituted with one or more substituents R¹³, each R⁸ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R¹⁴; and—C(═O)—C₁-C₁₂-alkyl, where the alkyl moiety may carry one or moresubstituents R¹⁴; each R⁹ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or moresubstituents R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, R^(10a) and R^(10b), independentlyof each other and independently of each occurrence, are selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one ormore substituents R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy; each R¹¹ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which maycarry one or more substituents R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy; each R¹² isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl whichmay carry one or more substituents R¹⁴; and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy; each R¹³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, cyano,C₁-C₄-alkyl and C₁-C₄-alkoxy, or two R¹³ bound on the same carbon atomof a cycloalkyl ring or a heterocyclic ring may form together a group═O; each R¹⁴ is independently selected from the group consisting of—Si(R¹⁵)₃, hydroxyl, cyano, C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, amino, C₁-C₄-alkylamino,di-(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-amino, aminocarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylaminocarbonyl,di(C₁-C₄-alkyl)-aminocarbonyl, C₁-C₄-alkylcarbonyl,C₁-C₄-alkoxycarbonyl, C₃-C₆-cycloalkyl, optionally substituted with 1,2, 3, 4 or 5 substituents R¹³, phenyl, optionally substituted with 1, 2,3, 4 or 5 substituents R¹³, and a 3-, 4-, 5-, 6- or 7-memberedsaturated, partially unsaturated or maximally unsaturated heterocyclicring comprising 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms or heteroatom groups selected fromthe group consisting of N, O, S, NO, SO and SO₂, as ring members, wherethe heterocyclic ring is optionally substituted with one or moresubstituents R¹³; each R¹⁵ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy; A is —(CH₂)_(n)— or—(CH₂)_(p)—O—, where O is bound to C(═X); X is O or S; m is 0, 1 or 2; nis 3 or 4; and p is 2 or 3; compounds of formula II

wherein each R¹′ has independently one of the meanings given above forR¹; R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other, areas defined above; and G is selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₁₀-alkylene, —O—C₂-C₁₀-alkylene-O—, —C(═O)—C₁-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—,and —O—C(═O)—C₁-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—O—; compounds of formula III

wherein R^(2a), R^(2b), R^(3a) and R^(3b), independently of each other,are as defined above; E is —(CH₂)_(n), —(CH₂)_(p)—O—, where O is boundto C(═O), —(CH₂)_(n)—C(═O)-E¹-, or —(CH₂)_(p)—O—C(═O)-E¹-, where n and pare as defined above; and E¹ is linear or branched C₁-C₁₀-alkylene; R¹⁶is hydrogen or C₁-C₄-alkyl; R¹⁷ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄-alkyl orC₁-C₄-alkoxy; and k is 2 to 50; and mixtures thereof, and wherein theplasticizer is selected from the group consisting of acrylate polymers,where the acrylate polymers may also contain methacrylates inpolymerized form, and non-polymeric plasticizers comprising carboxylategroups selected from the group consisting of aromatic carboxylates,aliphatic carboxylates, and cycloaliphatic carboxylates. 2-3. (canceled)4. The composition according to claim 1, wherein R¹ is a group—(CH₂)₂—O—C(═O)—R⁵, where R⁵ is 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl; R^(2a), R^(2b),R^(3a) and R^(3b) are methyl; and R⁴ is a group—O—C(═O)-(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl).
 5. The composition according to claim1, wherein the sterically hindered amine comprises at least compound offormula II and/or at least compound of formula III, where in formula IIeach R¹′ is independently a group —OR⁶; where R⁶ is C₄-C₁₂-alkyl; and Gis —O—C(═O)—C₆-C₁₀-alkylene-C(═O)—O—, and in formula III E is—(CH₂)₂—O—C(═O)-E¹-, where E¹ is linear or branched C₂-C₄-alkylene; R¹⁶is hydrogen; R¹⁷ is C₁-C₄-alkoxy; and k is 8 to 20
 6. The compositionaccording to claim 1, wherein the sterically hindered amine comprises atleast one compound of formula I and additionally also at least onecompound of formula II and/or at least one compound of formula III. 7.The composition according to claim 1, wherein the sterically hinderedamine comprises at least one compound of formula I.1

and optionally also a compound of formula II.1


8. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the antioxidantcomprising one or more thioether groups is a hydroxyaromatic compoundcomprising one or more thioether groups.
 9. The composition according toclaim 8, wherein the antioxidant comprising one or more thioether groupsis a compound of formula IV

wherein R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c), independently of each other, areselected from C₁-C₄-alkyl which may carry one or more groups —SR¹⁶; withthe proviso that at least one of R^(a), R^(b) and R^(c) is C₁-C₄-alkylwhich carries one or more groups —SR¹⁶, where R16 is C₁-C₁₆-alkyl 10.(canceled)
 11. The composition according to claim 9, wherein R^(a) andR^(b) are —CH₂—SR¹⁶; where R¹⁶ is n octyl or n-dodecyl; and R^(c) ismethyl.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The composition according to claim 1, whereinthe plasticizer is selected from acrylate polymers with a weight-averagemolecular weight of at most 30000, a glass transition temperature of atmost −40° C. and a viscosity of at most 250 Pa·s at 25° C.
 14. Thecomposition according to claim 13, where the plasticizer is selectedfrom polyacrylates comprising repeating units of formula

where each R^(α) is independently C₁-C₆-alkyl which may carry onesubstituent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy andC₁-C₄-alkoxy; and where the polyacrylates may contain 2 to 3% by weight,based on the total weight of the polymer, of acrylic acid incopolymerized form.
 15. (canceled)
 16. The composition according toclaim 1, wherein the plasticizer is selected from 1,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid di-(C₄-C₂₀-alkyl) esters.
 17. (canceled)
 18. Thecomposition according to claim 1, wherein the composition comprises atleast one UV absorber, wherein the UV absorber is a triazine UV absorberof formula VI

wherein R^(A) is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen andC₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R¹⁷; R^(B) andR^(C), independently of each other, are selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₁₂-alkyl which may carry one or more substituents R¹⁷;OH and C₁-C₁₂-alkoxy, where the alkyl moiety in alkoxy may carry one ormore substituents R¹⁷; each R¹⁷ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of OH and C₁-C₂₀-alkoxy; and q and r, independently of eachother, are 0, 1 or
 2. 19. The composition according to claim 18, whereinR^(A) is; —CH₂—CH(OH)—CH₂—O—C_(n)H_(2n+1), where n is 12 to 14; R^(B)and R^(C), independently of each other, are methyl; and q and r are 2.20. (canceled)
 21. The composition according to claim 1, wherein thecomposition comprises at least one photolatent or thermically latentinitiator, wherein the photolatent or thermically latent initiator isselected from the group consisting of photolatent bases and photolatentor thermally latent metal-based initiators.
 22. The compositionaccording to claim 21, wherein the photolatent bases are selected fromcompounds B¹-Z¹, where B¹ and Z¹ are covalently bound, and where B¹ isderived from a strong base selected from the group consisting ofamidines, guanidines and secondary amines, and Z¹ is a photolyticallyremovable group; and the metal-based initiators are selected fromtitanium complexes comprising at least one photolytically or thermallyremovable ligand and aluminum complexes comprising at least onephotolytically or thermally removable ligand.
 23. The compositionaccording to claim 22, wherein the photolatent bases are selected fromthe group consisting of compounds of formulae PLB.1 to PLB.7:

where each R¹⁸ is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₁-C₆-alkyl, C₁-C₆-alkoxy, C₁-C₆-alkylthio, C₁-C₆-alkylsulfinyl,C₁-C₆-alkyl sulfonyl, C₁-C₆-alkylcarbonyl and C₁-C₆-alkoxycarbonyl; R¹⁹is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C₁-C₄-alkyl; and sis 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or
 5. 24. The composition according to claim 23,wherein the photolatent bases are selected from the group consisting ofcompounds of formulae PLB.1, PLB.2, PLB.4, PLB.5, PLB.6 and PLB.7. 25.The composition according to claim 1, comprising the followingcomponents in following amounts: (a) at least one light stabilizerselected from sterically hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino groupcarries a basicity-reducing substituent: 0.1 to 10% by weight; (b) atleast one antioxidant comprising one or more thioether groups: 0.1 to10% by weight; (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C.and which is selected from plasticizers comprising carboxylate groups:10 to 99.8% by weight; (d) at least one UV absorber: 0 to 10% by weight;(e) at least one photolatent or thermally latent initiator: 0 to 5% byweight; (f) at least one further additive: 0 to 89.8% by weight, whereinthe percentages by weight are based on the total weight of thestabilizer composition and the weights from (a) to (f) add up to 100% byweight.
 26. The composition according to claim 1, which is liquid at 25°C. and 1013 mbar and comprises at most 5% by weight, based on the totalweight of the composition, of solvents.
 27. A polymer compositioncomprising (i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer; and (ii) astabilizer composition according to claim
 1. 28. The polymer compositionaccording to claim 27, where the silyl-terminated polymer is a polymerof formula VI[(R′)_(a)(R″O)_(3-a)Si-L¹-Y]_(b)-Po   (VI) wherein Po is the di-, tri-or tetravalent radical of a base polymer selected from the groupconsisting of polyethers, polyesters, polyamides, polyimines,polyurethanes, poly(meth)acrylates, polyvinyl esters, polyolefins, andmixed forms thereof; each Y is independently selected from the groupconsisting of a bond, —NH—C(═O)—O—, —O—C(═O)—NH—,—C(═O)—NH-L²-NH—C(═O)—NH—, —NH—C(═O)—NH-L²-NH—C(═O)—, —O—C(═O)—,—C(═O)—O—, —NH—C(═O)—S—, —S—C(═O)—NH— and —O—; R′ and R″, independentlyof each other and independently of each occurrence, are selected fromC₁-C₆-alkyl, L¹ is C₁-C₃-alkylene; L² is a divalent aliphatic,cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical; each a is independently 0 or 1; andb is 2, 3 or
 4. 29. (canceled)
 30. The polymer composition according toclaim 28, wherein Po is the divalent radical of a polyether, where thepolyether is a polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol.
 31. Thepolymer composition according to claim 28, wherein Y is —NH—C(═O)—O—(where NH is bound to L¹); R′ and R″, independently of each other andindependently of each occurrence, are selected from the group consistingof methyl and ethyl; and each L¹ is independently —CH₂— or —CH₂ CH₂CH₂—.
 32. The polymer composition according to claim 27, which is liquidat 25° C. and 1013 mbar and comprises at most 5% by weight, based on thetotal weight of the composition, of solvents.
 33. The polymercomposition according to claim 27, comprising the following componentsin following amounts: (i) at least one silyl-terminated polymer: 10 to94.9% by weight; (a) at least one light stabilizer selected fromsterically hindered amines (HALS) in which the amino group carries abasicity-reducing substituent: 0.05 to 10% by weight; (b) at least oneantioxidant comprising one or more thioether groups: 0.05 to 10% byweight; (c) at least one plasticizer which is liquid at 25° C. and whichis selected from plasticizers comprising carboxylate groups: 5 to 89.9%by weight; (d) at least one UV absorber: 0 to 10% by weight; (e) atleast one photolatent or thermally latent initiator: 0 to 5% by weight;and (1) at least one further additive: 0 to 84.9% by weight, wherein thepercentages by weight are based on the total weight of the polymercomposition and the weights of (i) and (a) to (f) add up to 100% byweight. 34-35. (canceled)
 36. A sealant composition or an adhesivecomposition, or a liquid gasket composition, or a knifing fillercomposition or a coating composition comprising the polymer compositionaccording to claim 27.